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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Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

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.

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

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.

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

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!.

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora