Bidding in the "balance" seat.
Bridge Column for June 17, 2005, Harvey Bernstein
Special To The Plain Dealer
North-South vulnerable.  East deals.
                              North
                              S: 10 7 6 2         
                              H: Q 4 2       
                              D: A 10 6 2    
                              C: A 8     
            West                             East
            S: J 2                           S: A 9     
            H: A J 8 6                       H: K 10 7 5 3   
            D: 8 4                           D: K Q 9 7           
            C: K 6 5 3 2                     C: 10 9        
                              South                         
                              S: K Q 8 4 3 
                              H: 9          
                              D: J 5 3     
                              C: Q J 7 4  
          The Bidding:  
                   East   South     West   North                  
                    1H     Pass      2H     Pass
                   Pass    2S        3H      3S 
                    Dbl    Pass     Pass    Pass
     Today's hand was played during a session of "practice" on
Bridge Base Online.  I held the South cards and the opponent to
my right opened the bidding with one heart.  The South hand does
not have enough strength to make a vulnerable overcall, so I
passed.  West raised to two hearts, a bid that shows six to nine
points.  North passed, as did East. 
     In the "balance" seat, the South cards are sufficient to bid
two spades.  If the only result of this is that East-West are
forced to bid three hearts to buy the contract, that is benefit
enough for the small risk that is being taken.  As it turned out,
North was very happy to hear the balancing bid and raised spades
to the three level.
     I think that East was more distressed about having the
contract taken away from him than he was confident about
defeating three spades, and his double expressed this feeling.
     I don't know about you, but I still get a rush when someone
doubles me.  Don't get me wrong, I have been defeated in doubled
contracts many times, but for a moment, before the opening lead,
before the dummy hits the table, there is a rush of emotion that
has to be controlled.
     West led the ace of hearts and continued with the jack.  I
played low from dummy and trumped this trick.  The queen of clubs
was covered by the king and won with the ace.  A small spade was
ducked by East and won with the king in hand.
     The jack of clubs was cashed and a club was trumped in the
dummy.  East decided to trump higher, playing his ace.  He led
the king of diamonds which ran to the ace.  A spade to the queen
pulled the last trump.  A diamond was conceded to the queen and
the rest of the tricks were claimed.  The overtrick brought the
total score to +930.  Keep in mind that all I was trying to do
was make the opponents play at the three level.  Some times you
have to take a chance - it's nice when you do it at the right
time.  
     The All-American Regional Bridge Tournament was held in
Independence from May 24 to 30. Congratulations to the following
players who were successful in their respective events on May 26. 
Other results appeared previously and more will be listed in
future columns.
     Two session stratified pairs (58 pairs). Stratum A. 1.
Jerome Rolnick, Lyndhurst, and Frank Aquila, Fairlawn. 2. Robert
Rizzo and Charles Smith, Erie, PA. Stratum B. 1. Howard Weisblat,
Aurora, and Dean Webb, Brecksville. 2. Jack and Vickie
Goodykoontz, Morgantown, WV. Stratum C. 1. Wesiblat and Webb.  2.
Joan Ackerman and Rosemary Cooney, Norwalk.
     One session Swiss teams (20 teams).  Stratum A. 1. Lesly
Green, Lakewood, Helen Radigan, Mentor, Michele Allen, Waite
Hill, and Susan Conrad, Madison. 2. Carol and Lawrence Wise,
Chagrin Falls, Gerd and Lorna Wagner, Bracebridge, Ontario,
Canada.  Stratum B. 1. The Wises and the Wagners.  2. Audrey May,
Aurora, Jane Vickery, Cleveland, Rosemarie Sanscrainte, Solon,
and Betty Hitchcock, Mentor.  Stratum C.  1. The Wises and the
Wagners.  2. Carol Heiderlein, Akron, June Beyman, Stuart, FL,
Dora Rump and Susan Bussan, Cuyahoga Falls.
     Afternoon side pairs (30 pairs).  1. Erna Ravick, North
Royalton, and Jeno Triboldt, Vermilion. 2. Barbara Kusner, Orange
Village, and Judith Glaser, Sanibel, FL.
     Evening side pairs (20 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Elbert
Hargesheimer, Hamburg, NY, and Christy Kellogg, Buffalo, NY. 2.
Sukumar Roy, Shaker Heights, and John Marhofer, Cuyahoga Falls.
Stratum B. 1. Jeffrey Myers, Willowick, and Linda Rice,
Worthington.  2. Mark Rashavy, Westlake, and Clarence Krofron,
Kunkletown, PA. Stratum C. 1. Victor and Cheryl Shaia, Westlake. 
2. Allen Beroza and John Kirsits, East Amherst, NY.
     Afternoon non life master pairs (24 pairs). 1. Vi Mills,
Solon, and Jean Perko, Twinsburg. 2. Frederick and Adele
Gottlieb, Gahanna.
     Evening non life master pairs (10 pairs). 1. Phyllis Levin,
Moreland Hills, and Marilyn Cagin, Miami, FL.  2. Catherine
Konicsak and Bruce Venrick, Columbus.
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon. 
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb19@adelphia.net