Bridge: Nov. 6, 2023

With COVID-19 seemingly on the wane, players flocked to the ACBL’s Summer Championships in Chicago.

In the Spingold Knockout Teams, the premier event, most seeded teams comprised an affluent amateur plus professionals, many from overseas. The strength of players from outside the U.S. was evident as many highly regarded U.S. “sponsored” teams lost early.

Today’s deal arose in the final, Marty FLEISHER vs. Leif BREMARK. (Fleisher and his partner Chip Martel were the only Americans still playing.) With FLEISHER’s pair North-South, South opened 1NT, and North passed.

BALANCE

When East bid two hearts, he couldn’t have foreseen what would happen to him, but South doubled for takeout, and North liked his hand enough to try 4NT, asking South to bid a minor-suit game.

Against five diamonds, West led a heart; only a spade would have worked. Declarer won, lost to the ace of trumps, won the trump return, ruffed his last heart in dummy, cashed four club tricks, and led the ace and a low spade. When East took the queen, he was end-played. Plus 600 to FLEISHER.

In the replay, North-South for BREMARK landed at three spades. FLEISHER gained 10 IMPs – crucial as it turned out. More about that later.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 10 9 3 H 10 9 8 D 6 5 C 9 7 5 3. Your partner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds (negative or waiting) and he bids two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Raise to four spades, showing good support but denying any side ace, king or singleton. You discourage partner from proceeding past game; if he does, he should be aware that he is on his own. With a hand such as 10943,543,Q43,643, I would issue a “second negative” over two spades: with 2NT or some agreed conventional bid.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S J 4 2

H 7

D Q 10 9 4 3

C A 10 4 2

WEST

S K 10 9 3

H 10 9 8

D 6 5

C 9 7 5 3

EAST

S Q 7

H K Q J 5 4 3 2

D A 8

C J 6

SOUTH

S A 8 6 5

H A 6

D K J 7 2

C K Q 8

South West North East
1NT Pass Pass 2 H
Dbl Pass 4 NT Pass
5 D All Pass
Opening lead – H 10

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