Playing rubber bridge, West led the six of diamonds. East won the king and played the ace of clubs. West played the five and East continued with a small club. West won the king and returned the five of diamonds. East won the ace and returned another club. Declarer discarded a small diamond and won the jack of clubs in the dummy. Three rounds of spades was followed by a small heart to the seven. East won this trick and was end played. The contract was down one.
During the post-mortem East told West that he did not lead a heart for him to trump because he knew he would get his heart trick eventually. If ever an explanation didn't hold water, this was it. East doubled and then bid hearts. When his partner led a diamond against the spade contract, there was one thing that East should have been able to rely on - West did not have any hearts.
East should win the diamond lead with the king and lead a heart, which West will trump. Another diamond to the ace allows another heart to be trumped. A club to the ace is the entry for yet a third heart to be trumped. West can then cash the king of clubs and the queen of diamonds for a four trick set. Now the only question that needs to be addressed during the post-mortem is "Who was supposed to double?"
District 5 of the American Contract Bridge League sponsored the Rock and Roll Regional Bridge Tournament from January 12 to 16 in Independence. The following players were successful in their respective events on January 12. More results will be listed in future columns.
Two Session Open Pairs (40 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Robert Sulgrove, Spring Valley,, and Richard Rudolph, Westerville. 2. Kenneth and Barbara Bergman, Wexford, PA. Stratum B. 1. Mary Gleghorn, Stow, and Nancy Evans, Cuyahoga Falls. 2. Nancy Hunter, Twinsburg, and Ronald Kral, Reston, Va. Stratum C. 1. Marilyn Hurin, Canton, and Jean Friedman, Massillon. 2. Russell Kalbrunner, Olmsted Falls, and Robert Leibold, Brunswick.
Evening Swiss Teams (17 teams). Stratum A. 1. Teresa Fraas, Buffalo, NY, Elaine Universal, Derby, NY, John Kirsits and Allen Beroza, East Amherst, NY. 2. Fred Eberlin, Lyndhurst, Jack Knudson, Solon, Mina Ronen, Akron, and Edia Shai, University Heights. Stratum B. 1. Fraas, Universal, Kirsits and Beroza. 2. Peter Miller, Shaker Heights, Donna Largent, Cleveland, Toby Sternheimer, Aurora, and Molly Fainer, University Heights. Stratum C. 1. Fraas, Universal, Kirsits and Beroza. 2. Thomas and Janet Rice, Cleveland, with Linda and James Stahl, Chagrin Falls.
Afternoon Continuous Pairs (16 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Barbara Sobel, Willoughby, and Harold Fast, Chagrin Falls. 2. Edia Shai, University Heights, and Mina Ronen, Akron. Stratum B. Tied for 1/2. Jeno Triboldt, Vermilion, and Erna Ravick, North Royalton, with Nancy Fingerhut, Cleveland, and Hilma Robinson, Beachwood. Stratum C. 1. Fingerhut and Robinson. 2. D. Calco, Broadview Heights, and Janet Fitchko, Chagrin Falls.
Evening Continuous Pairs (22 pairs). Stratum A. 1. Martin Baff, Beachwood, and Roger Tiktin, Lakewood. 2. J. Rose, Painesville, and Gary Collins, University Heights. Stratum B. 1. Rose and Collins. 2. Harvey and Irene Bernstein, Solon. Stratum C. 1. Rose and Collins. 2. Dana and Marie Nuetzel, Stow.
Afternoon Non Life Master Pairs (18 pairs). 1. Adam Zachlin and Charles Wen, Strongsville. 2. William and Mary Roberts, North Ridgeville.
Evening Non Life Master Pairs (10 pairs). 1. Judy Saccogna
and Nancy Moore, Kent. 2. Harry Keagler, Kirtland, and Robert
Kay, Cleveland.
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Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb19@adelphia.net