Bridge: Jan. 14, 2024

I admit to curmudgeonly views about bidding, but today’s auction, which I report as it actually occurred, makes as much sense to me as putting an atheist in charge of a seminary.

First, North opened three clubs as per the modern

hyperactive style, especially at “green” vulnerability. Then South leaped to four spades. How he expected to make that if North had a typical three-club bid such as 4,Q65,86,KQJ10754 is a mystery. Maybe South thought East-West could make four hearts, and he would be obliged to bid four spades eventually.

The defense made more sense than the bidding. West led the king of hearts, and declarer ruffed and led the king of trumps. East took the ace and shifted to the nine of diamonds: ten, queen, deuce.

If West had led another heart, South would have ruffed and cashed the queen of trumps. When East-West followed politely, South would lead a club to dummy’s queen. East would have to duck, and then declarer could guess well to play diamonds, losing only a trump and two diamonds.

But at Trick Four, West led the five of clubs. South finessed, and East won and returned a club, killing dummy. South led a trump and picked up the trumps, but he lost a second diamond to West. Down one.

I believe in a disciplined approach to bidding, and to open three clubs as North wouldn’t occur to me. When I bid, I like my partner to know what I have so he can make an informed judgment. But I fear that the way bidding has evolved, trying to teach players about discipline is like instructing a rooster in the laying of eggs.

North dealer

E-W vulnerable

NORTH

S 5 4

H J 10

D 6 4 2

C A Q J 10 8 3

WEST

S J 10

H A K 9 8 6 2

D K Q 5

C 5 2

EAST

S A 6

H Q 7 5 4 3

D 9 8 3

C K 7 4

SOUTH

S K Q 9 8 7 3 2

H None

D A J 10 7

C 9 6

North East South West
3 C(!) Pass 4 S(!) All Pass
Opening lead — H K

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