Fourteen players competed in Monday night’s Intl Fund Game. Audrey and Bob Harrison managed to tie Mary Tryer and Libby Boeye for first place. Betty and Nels Nielsen were third. Lena Crumpler and Mahesh Maruvada were second in Flight B.

OVER COFFEE:

Bob- Given the bidding on last night’s Board 19 your jack of clubs opening lead surprised me a bit.

Audrey- Given the bidding and looking at six hearts in my South hand it seemed reasonable to assume that East was void in hearts.

Bob- Your thinking was much more astute than mine and that jack of clubs was the killing lead against them making six diamonds.

Audrey- If so then why did every East-West pair in the room make six?

Bob- Let’s skip that for right now and discuss the bidding which was varied and interesting.

Audrey- It was. There were three doubles-one a takeout double by Eastone a support double for hearts by South and one a penalty double by North. A cue-bid by East in support of spades and then a real surprise- five diamonds by East, the first time that suit had been mentioned. A bit unusual at the five level. As interesting as all that might be, I don’t think most people want to read about the thinking behind all of that. So - getting back to my original question, if I made the killing lead, how did our opponents make six?

Bob- Before I confess, at least give me credit for not doubling five diamonds, which I was sorely tempted to do. Your club lead set up my club ten for an eventual trick had I been as keen as you were in not leading a heart. But no- when East finally had to play spades I hopped right up with my ace. I didn’t dream you had six hearts so I led my ace instead of my good club, hoping to set the contract. East ruffed, then still had an entry to dummies spades to get rid of the losing club, making six. It is obvious that North must wait and take the third spade leaving East no way to get rid of the two of clubs All other Norths must have done the same as I did. One pair bid and made six diamonds and another bid just five and got doubled, making six so, even with my poor defense, we actually got the top score on the deal.

THE LAST WORD:

Audrey- Ah but you did double four spades and they can actually make that. We have said it many times in this column and I must say it again. It is much better to be lucky than good!!

Join us next Monday at the Woman’s Club building at 7 pm and try your luck. If you need a partner call Mary at- 592-2374.