Fifty Years Ago

Tomorrow begins the new year, and there’s certainly a nip in the air. my friend on the 21st floor has been, in fact, feeling the chill much more! 

The west led the ♦Q. “Preempts at favourable vulnerability are different today than they were 50 years ago,” said my friend. I said, “yes, things do change in 50 years.” He then showed me today’s hand from a 50-year- old rubber bridge game. The paper was crusty brown and the ink was fading. 

“Who opened 3♥?” I asked. “South,” he said, “after all, they didn’t play weak two-bids in those days.” I said, “well, it looks like a modern day three-bid.” The winning play was to allow the ♦Q to win the first trick. Now the spade king was protected, and later south could have ruffed out the ♦A and discard a spade on a diamond honour, then play for clubs to divide 3-2. East couldn’t have overtaken the ♦Q without setting up two diamond tricks, for two club discards. “East was annoyed at his partner for making this lead,” said my friend. “If he led a club, declarer would eventually lose four tricks.  A kibitzer, whose chin pushed itself out another couple of inches, pointed out something interesting. after a club lead, declarer can still make the contract. south could win the ♣a, come to his hand with a trump and lead a diamond. When west would play ♦10, South could duck that!”

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You Can Find Your Way

In the above deal West has definitely found the best lead, a trump, which can prevent your ruffing a losing heart in dummy. As declarer, you count your losers, two hearts and two clubs. If you could get to dummy, you would be able to make ten tricks by throwing one of your losers on the ♦A. But how can you do that? 

The hand can be made. There is a simple winning line, which nevertheless is difficult to perceive. After winning the opening trump lead in hand, south should lead ♥Q instead of the deuce! 

This simple play ensures the contract. If east takes the ♥K and continues with a trump (best), you can make the contract with two hearts, six spades, a diamond and a club. If east ducks the ♥Q, you will make eleven tricks! You continue with the ♥A, Ruff a heart and discard a loser on the ♦A. Your losers will be only two clubs. 

Wish you a merry Christmas!

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No Champagne

Playing the weak no-trump, and being at favourable vulnerability, Zio decided he would try 1NT with six heart tricks, hoping to catch his opponents off guard.  Perhaps he had a beautiful kibitzer he was trying to impress as well.  Okay, it wasn't a good start, but the rest is definitely amazing.

South, the straight man, jumped 3♦ forcing.  If North had now bid 3♥, it would have meant a cue bid in support of diamonds.  So North was forced back into no-trump.  Over the natural 4♣ bid, North again was fixed. Four hearts would definitely sound like a cue bid in support of clubs, so Zia was forced into a 4♦ preference.  The 4 ♥ bid really put Zia in the hot seat. He knew it was a void! So he bid 5♦ hoping partner would give up.

The story has an unhappy ending for our hero, as his partner bid six diamonds, and Zia, after all, did have to lay down the dummy, (he actually ordered champagne on the condition that his partner would make the hand).  West led a spade and declarer ruffed the second Spade, led a club to the Queen, took two discards on the hearts and called for the ten of diamonds.  East carefully covered, and the slam was doomed.  So there was no champagne either.

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You are Still Alive

One hates to see a 29 point-hand go down the tubes — especially, when there is a nine card fit. 

South draws trump in two rounds and has to decide how to proceed. It must be right to tackle diamond while you still have a club ruff entry to dummy. So, south plays the diamond Ace and a low diamond to the Jack. The good news was that the diamond Jack wins the trick. The bad news was that east pitches a club on the second diamond. 

South was still alive if east has a marriage in spades. South plays the club AKQ discarding a spade from dummy and then the spade Ace and a spade. If east has to take the trick, he will have to surrender a ruff and sluff allowing south to pitch his diamond Q while ruffing in dummy. 

Do not take life seriously, you will never get out of it alive! 

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Safe & Sure

Hi folks! ‘Apro’ Dara is back like a migratory bird, and, he has got another juicy deal for us. 

West’s ♣J lead was covered by dummy’s ♣Q, East’s ♣K and declarer’s ♣A. For safe and sure play, South should cash now ♦A and draw three rounds of trumps, playing ♥AK and then low heart to dummy’s ♥J. From the table, declarer leads ♦Q and, when East plays low, he should discard his losing ♣4. West will win and try to cash ♣10, but declarer can ruff this in hand, cross to dummy by playing ♠A and ruffing a spade, and then use ♦J10 to discard his two spade losers. This method is almost completely safe and ensures that the vulnerable slam is brought home. 

There once was a player 

from Beirut, 

who thought he would 

try to be cute. 

He overcalled a spade, 

And, died as he played. 

The postmortem: 

A four-card suit.

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Simple But Thoughtful

Last Sunday, Bombay Gymkhana’s majestic dining hall was buzzing with Mohan Advani memorial Bridge tournament players. This is the fourth year since he is no longer with us. His charming  wife, ‘Guddi’ and his dapper son, Amit, have been generously sponsoring this memorial event. Mohan was a soft-spoken, gentle and ardent Bridge player. Dr Dhananjay Subbarao always does a great job of organising this tournament. 

South’s 2NT was 21-22 balanced. In reply to 3♣ Stayman, 3♠ showed four spades and denied four Hearts. West led ♥J. The lead surely was from Jack-doubleton. South played ♥2. East won the ♥K. He saw clearly there was no future in hearts. even if they set up, he had no entry later to cash them. 

East thought very carefully and made a killing shift of  ♣10. South ducked and East continued club. Had South played the ♣K, West would have taken the Ace and the ♣J, then, would set up two more club winners with ♦A as entry. That was a simple but thoughtful move.

We miss you Mohan!

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Logical Play

Just a few days ago my friend from the 21st floor in my building invited me for a rubber bridge game. He asked me not to get the oxygen mask along, as “the air is very pure on my 21st floor terrace”. He had two friends from Delhi visiting him, who had just entered the room with their oxygen masks. Probably, that’s the reason he got confused and instructed me not to do so.

Sitting South was a young one, as cool as an oyster on the half-shell and as chirpy as a spring breeze. Her partner was a bald-domed, bushy browed, podgy guy. She took the first heart and returned a heart. East liked this plan and continued a third heart. South ruffed and West overruffed, West led a club to East’s ♣A and returned another heart. South threw away a club and West ruffed this one too. So 4♠ was doomed.

The podgy guy almost knocked her down with his toothpick in his hand! 

The logical play was South should have ducked the first heart. East would have won and continued heart. South should take the ♥A and play two rounds of spades, and should go to dummy with a diamond. The last heart she ruffs without any fuss and now South just has to concede a Spade and a club, making the contract of 4♠. 

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The Right Guess

Last three days saw bridge players from across India struggling to get the rank and the attractive prizes that came along with it. This was the yearly Ashok Kapur Memorial Bridge Tournament held at Catholic Gymkhana. His beloved and loving wife, Madhu, has been generously sponsoring this event every year. Under Rajeev Khandelwal’s great organising skills, of course. 

And finally in Mumbai there’s a ‘nip in the air’! But, this ‘senorita’ did care to play her hand well. 

After swift and simple auction, senorita sitting south had to make the right guess when the east led the ♦3. The problem was really not diamonds. It was spades! 

She wanted to decrease the chance of east winning the lead and shifting to a spade through her king. Obviously, if east has the ♦A, South cannot keep him off the lead, but if he has the ♦Q, South can. For that reason senorita went up the ♦K. If ♦K had lost to the Ace, the senorita would have had to sweat out the spade position. 

I think this senorita deserved a margarita!

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Lucky South

The festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti was celebrated all over the world yesterday. It marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru and its founder Guru Nanak. It is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh community. 

Dummy’s ♠Q lost to East’s ♠A and a spade return was taken by South with the ♠K. The ♥A was cashed and a second heart played to dummy’s ♥10 that revealed a decent heart division and in time. South won eleven tricks, losing only one Spade and one Heart. 

By bidding 3NT, South denied three card Heart supports. South was really lucky. Had he shown heart support, North might have developed slam aspirations and a Heart slam would have failed. Again, South was lucky. The clubs divided 4-1 with East holding a secure club trick. 

Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.

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The Bad And Good News

North’s 4♣ bid promised a singleton or void in clubs, at least a four-card spade support, first or second round, controls in the unbid suits, and a minimum opening.

West leads the ♦6, a fourth-best lead. the diamond lead is not a surprise because the auction strongly implied that any diamond strength would be found in dummy. If the finesse is right, the hand is easy but what can you do if it is wrong? 

Win the ♦A, draw trumps, ruff two clubs in dummy and two hearts in your hand, ending in hand. You have two diamonds and a spade in each hand. Lead a diamond towards the queen. If west follows low, play the queen. Bad news! the king is offside, as you might have guessed. The good news is that east started with double ton ♦K and must concede a ruff and discard and the contract. 

The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do.

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Danger Hand

If you are not a fan, you would surly become one after seeing 'This Is It!' The movie opens after a bit of scrolling text, with a number of concert dancers weeping and excitedly talking into the camera about the gig and their love for Michael Jackson who"ll live forever in their hearts.

An event of a lifetime, the concert that never was.  That was the moment! 'This is it'!

At trick two, declarer played a low club from dummy and finessed the ♣ 8, losing to the ♣Q.  diamonds were continued, declarer winning the third round.  Needing one additional trick, South crossed to dummy with the ♣A and led the ♠Q, finessing East.  West won and cashed two more diamond tricks to take 3NT one down.

West can be kept off lead in clubs but not in spades if West has the ♠Kx or longer.  Declarer should take the spade finesse at trick two, as that can be taken only one way,  into danger hand with the long diamonds.  West  wins and continues diamonds, South taking the ♦ K on the third round.  Now South finesses the clubs into the safe hand, East.  If East wins with the ♣ Q and has another diamond, South must hope diamonds were originally 4-4.

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Resist The Temptation

It is that time of the year again, when we gear up to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, happiness and prosperity. But it’s not the same for animals. If you have a pet, especially dogs, bear in mind that they suffer from anxiety during Diwali. They tremble, whine and their bark becomes worse than their bite. I have two and know exactly what they go through. 

Yielding to temptation is the only way to lose the game. South ducked the opening lead in dummy and got a free finesse winning with his ♥10. A low spade was led towards dummy, but west alertly hopped up with his Ace and played the ♥A and another heart to establish his suit. South now could take 3 spades and 3 clubs on the run for a total of eight tricks. If he tries to steal a diamond, West is ready to pounce and collect the rest of his five winners for one down. 

The game is unbeatable if South credits West for all three aces for the opening bid. He wins dummy’s ♥k at trick one and knocks out ♦A. If West plays the ♥A and another heart, South will collect three winners. And, if West leads anything else, it’s even easier. Regardless of what West leads, South has time to knock out the ♠A to score a comfortable overtrick.

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Gaining Entry

West held the first trick with the king of spades, East playing the jack. It was barely possible that West had made a vulnerable two spade overcall on a suit of only five cards to the KQ10. Nevertheless, tony held up the spade ace a second time when West continued spades. Can you see why? 

Unless the opposing clubs were 2-2, the suit was blocked. By ducking spades twice, tony was able to throw the apparently insignificant club 5 under the spade ace. He could then run five club tricks painlessly, bring his total to nine. 

Deafening silence:- husband was talking to a doctor about his wife “doctor, when we play bridge, I think my wife is deaf because she never hears my bid and I always have to repeat things.” “Well,” the doctor replied, “the next time you play bridge, bid normally. If she doesn’t reply, say it louder and louder. Keep doing this so that we’ll get an idea about the severity of her deafness.” Sure enough, the next time they played Bridge, he does exactly as instructed. He starts off saying “One Spade”. He hears no response. He says it louder One Spade”. Still no reply. And again “One Spade”! He gets fed up and screams at the top of his voice “Sheryl! I’M BIDDING ONE SPADE!” Sheryl picks up a pen and writes down “For the fourth time, one no trump”.

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The Best Chance

Dummy’s ♠J holds the first trick, and it’s obvious that the future lies with diamonds. 

The best chance to make the game is to lead a low diamond from dummy at trick two. This play makes the game when west has the ♦Q — also very often when east has the ♦Q. 

After east plays a low diamond, south’s ♦J goes to west’s ♦A, but west cannot gainfully lead spades. South wins west’s shift and loses another diamond to east, but it matters little. south still has time to post an overtrick. 

There once was a lady named Bess, 

who found a new way to finesse. 

She made up excuses to lead up to deuces, 

And loses without having to guess!

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Mustn't rush into an error

South might have made a take-out double, hoping to hear his partner bid spades. But what would south do if north bid 2♦ in reply to the double? South thought an overcalling  I N T doesn’t rule out spades as north might use stayman. 

How should south plan to bring home nine tricks after West leads the ♥k? 

It is a surprise when West leads the ♥K. But you mustn’t let the surprise rush you into an error. 

Start by checking your top tricks. After the lead, you have six tricks. Two spades, two hearts and two diamonds. You apparently have three top diamonds, but not unless you have a dummy entry. And the opening lead is threatening to dislodge your one dummy entry outside diamonds. 

You must play low from the dummy at trick one. Then, when West continues with a second heart, win in hand with the Queen. 

Now, it’s time to play on diamonds. You should cash the king, and then overtake the queen with dummy’s Ace. If the Jack drops, fine. But if it doesn’t, continue with the ♦10. 

You still have the ♥A in the dummy as the entry, and the defenders cannot collect more than four tricks. One heart, one diamond and two clubs.

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Most Subtle Decision

One of the compelling facets of bridge is the devastating effect of even the most subtle decision; It make other card game seem the equivalent of a monster truck demolition derby.

North might have changed suit as an initial response but to raise a major suit with three card support and an outside shortage is sound.  West led ⧫ 4 and all seemed well for South; ten tricks seemed easy.

the first good play was East's; he won with ⧫A and returned a diamond.  south did trump, cashed two top hearts before discovering the bad break, and took the losing spade finesse.  West continued his partner's forcing defence by laying down ⧫Q.  South was now in trouble. When ruffed, he was left with only one trump in each hand, while East held two trumps and ♣A.  Defeat was now inevitable.

Declarer can turn the tables on the defence at trick two. Instead of ruffing, south should pitch a spade from hand.  West takes his ⧫Q but, now, declarer can draw all the trumps, discard two further spades from hand on dummy's ⧫J10 and then push out ♣A, still in comfort holding the final trump.

You need to make decisions at the right time - not too early, not too late.

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Right Line

This year, even as the Ganesh festival is on, God of rains, Lord Varun, doesn’t seem to be merciful towards Mumbaikars. heavy rains continued to lash mumbai and much damage has been caused. The rains are no more as joyful as usual.

West leads the ♦4, low from dummy, East wins the ♦A, West ruffs the ♦J and shifts to ♠10. If West starts with four trumps, south cannot afford to take the ♠A at trick three as he cannot ruff his club loser and enjoy the ♦Q. South has to duck the spade in dummy and East would win with the ♠Q.  A spade return would be fatal for the defense. East led another diamond. South ruffed high, cashed the ♣A and ♣k and ruffed the third club with the ♥5. When this survived he was home. Trumps were drawn and the ♠A was the entry to reach the ♦Q to discard a losing spade. South took the right line of play.

Frank and explicit – that is the right line to take when you wish to conceal your own mind and confuse the minds of others.

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The Right Judgement

The 2♥ bid was a transfer to spades. north’s 3♠ showed six spades and game invitation. despite a minimum INT, the three-card spade support, the ruffing potential in club and three aces persuaded south to bid to game. If 4♠ failed, no doubt north and south would blame each other for overbidding. 

West leads the ♣K, which is allowed to hold. south wins the ♣Q continuation and leads a spade to the king. When West discards a club on this, you have a sure trump loser. Dummy’s heart is led at trick four and East wins with the ♥A. East’s club return is ruffed by you. How do you play from here?

The declarer continued with the ♥J. West played low and a diamond was discarded from dummy. Judging that West would have heart length and that the ♥K was unlikely to drop on the next round,declarer continued with the ♥Q, king from West, ruffed in dummy. When the ♥10 dropped, south’s ♥9 was high. After a spade to the Ace, and the ♦A was cashed, followed by the ♥9, on which dummy’s last diamond was discarded. East could ruff, but, dummy had the rest of tricks.

Good judgement.

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The Right Timing

Today Otters Club is holding a Bridge tournament dedicated to the fond memory of Dr Tara Tekchandani. Tara means a star and Dr Tara was a real shining star. She was the pioneer of the weekly bridge tournament on Mondays at Otters Club. Very dedicated and committed to the game, a warm and compassionate human being she was. Good samaritan, Mr Chandu Bijlani has organised this event, while her charming daughter Bina has sponsored the prize money. 

East’s 1Nt showed a hand that would open 1Nt-15-17 high card points and a club stopper. The double by south was for penalty. North didn’t have much for defense, so he pulled out to 2♣ and now south bid 3Nt. 

The right timing can be critical when there are several fragile suit combinations and several tricks to lose before you can establish the winners you require to make your contract. East is marked with almost all the outstanding high cards. 

South should win the ♠A at trick one. Since East is marked with the ♠k and play a club towards the ♣q, East could win the ♣k or duck and win a club later, but, it is too late for him to set up the heart tricks. 

Dear tara, 

twinkle, twinkle, twinkle star, often I wonder, how you are!

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Some Detective Work

This is the time that kicks in the festive season in India. We just wrapped up Raksha Bandhan last week, a festival that cements the bond between a brother and a sister.  

It being a holiday, my friend and neighbour organised a rubber bridge game. An elderly gentleman sitting south, with keen penetrating eyes and one of those jutting chin picked up the above cards, his hands trembling like leaves. Soon enough he was a declarer for the slam. 

West led the ♠J, East won the ♠A and returned the ♠4 and south won the ♠K. Realising the slam will depend on the trump suit, south did some detective work. He played a club to dummy and a low diamond. East quickly played the ♦K, which was ruffed by south. Placing East with ♠AQ and ♦K and a passed hand, it was extremely unlikely that East would have the ♥K. hoping the West has the singleton ♥K, south played the ♥A and when the king fell, his chin pushed itself out another couple of inches claiming the contract. 

I was really dazzled by his miraculous card reading at this age! 

I think age is strictly a case of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

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Very Tempting

On ♥10 lead from West, there is much to consider. With two spades and two hearts, south will have to dislodge both ♣A and ♦A to succeed. 

It is very tempting to try ♥J at trick one. if the finesse loses, south is likely to be defeated. East would win and return a heart; West later would win a minor suit Ace, clear the hearts, and cash his winners when he would take his second minor suit Ace. 

Thus, it’s better to play low from dummy and beat West’s ♥10 with ♥A. South should attack a minor suit – probably diamonds. If East hold ♦A, the heart position is perfectly guarded. As it is, West wins and leads a second heart. 

This time, south could risk the finesse. Even though East would win this, crucially, he now would have no heart to return and the suit cannot be cleared. Whatever he would play, south would have the time to push out ♣A, and claim 10 tricks. 

This interesting deal is courtesy ‘Apro Dara’! We wish him happy Bridging and a happy new year! 

When temptation knocks, imagination usually answers.

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Splendid Efforts

The above deal was played by our senior bridge director, Mr. Anant Bhagwat, who recently became a national director.  Last week, he launched his third bridge book, titled Mr. Badhir Returns.

Mr. Bhagwant was the declarer sitting South. With the bidding misunderstanding between him and his partner, he landed in a most obnoxious contact of 4-2 trump fit!

West led the ♦K and as the dummy came down, Mr. Bhagwat started adjusting his glasses to find if any spades were missing in the dummy.  Counting and recounting 13 cards and realising he is on a downing street, he mulled over matters again and again.  He won the lead in hand and ruffed a diamond in dummy came to hand with  ♣A and ruffed another diamond.  He cashed the ♥A and exited with a ♥Q. East won and backed ♥10.  South ruffed with the  ♠9.  Mr. Bhagwat, avoiding the club finesse cashed the  ♣K and ruffed a heart with ♠J.  He then exited with a club and waited motionless, the way a spider waits for a fly.  Whatever East or West played, South got his last 9th and 10th trick making an impossible contract.

Unfortunately there was no reward for our dear director's splendid efforts as 5♥ was a cold contract on any defence.

Well played, Mr. Bhagwat!.

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Out of Safe Lead

The city of dreams, Mumbai, finally got relief from its hot and humid climate as rains lashes! The rains in Mumbai come along with traffic jams and potholes marmalade!! Yet, the monsoon is something Mumbaikars eagerly wait for!

West led the §Q and continued with the §J South ruffed the second club and drew one round of trumps before playing a low diamond toward dummy. East won his ¨Q and led his §A, which South ruffed. Another low diamond went to West’s ¨J and the game was lost. West was due another diamond and instead of ten tricks, South had only nine.

After ruffing the second club, South should lead a trump to dummy to ruff dummy’s last club. Another trump is led to dummy and the singleton heart is led to South’s ©10 and West’s ©Q. Since West is now out of safe leads, no matter what he does South gets home with a tenth trick.

Bath Coup --- getting to use the tub before your roommate!!

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