This hand was played at a local duplicate bridge game. North's two diamond bid was a "waiting" bid and the three diamond call was a "second negative". The opening lead was the two of diamonds and declarer was able to scramble home with nine tricks.
From a matchpoint perspective, this was a below average score. North should evaluate his hand differently. If his second bid is three hearts, South will raise to four and with careful play, North could make one or two overtricks.
One of the best combinations in the game is a long suit opposite a strong hand. The heart contract provides entries that are not available in a no-trump contract. When South indicates a strong hand, North's holding is easily worth eight points and a positive bid.
Congratulations to Dean Webb of Brecksville. At the age of 92, Webb has earned the status of life master in the American Contract Bridge League. He has been playing bridge for over 70 years but has only been playing competitively for the last ten years. Needing .30 gold master points to become a life master, Webb travelled to Meadville, PA on February 26 to compete in the District 5 Grand National Teams. His team was undefeated in the Flight C event and took first place, earning the right to represent District 5 in the Grand National Team competition at the Summer North American Bridge Championships in Atlanta, GA in July. Congratulations also to all of the players who were successful in this event.
Superflight. 1. Kenneth Kranyak, Bay Village, Phillip Becker, Beachwood, Kumar Bhatia, Pepper Pike, Frank Cymerman, Pittsburgh, PA, Dan Gerstman and Joel Wooldridge, Buffalo, NY. 2. Niel Waletzky, Shaker Heights, Craig Biddle, Eastlake, Don and Kathleen Sulgrove, Twinsburg.
Flight A. 1. Jill Wooldridge, William Rushmore, Powhatan Wooldridge, and Judith Marshall, Buffalo, NY, and Jay Levy, Amherst, NY. 2. Brian Mampe, Orchard Park, NY, Jay Costello, East Amherst, NY, Alan Greer and Brian Meyer, Buffalo, NY.
Flight B. 1. Eugene Harvey, Lackawanna, NY, Michael Ryan, Buffalo, NY, Joanne Kelley, Fredonia, NY, and Judy Graf, Clarence, NY. 2. Julia Allen, Willoughby, Hope Ellis, Beachwood, Diane Wasserman, University Heights, and James Gullo, Silver Creek, NY.
Flight C 1. Doug Henderson, Cleveland, Dean Webb, Brecksville, Vivian Shanafelt, Medina, James and Sara Buford, Lorain. 2. John Ricotta, Kenmore, NY, Teresa Fraas, Buffalo, NY, John Kirsits and Allen Beroza, East Amherst, NY, Elaine and Brian Universal, Derby, NY.
Andy Halpern of Orange Village will be directing an ACBL
sanctioned duplicate bridge game restricted to players with less
than 300 master points. The game will be held at 12:30 p.m.
weekly on Tuesdays starting April 5 at Bethaynu Congregation,
27900 Gates Mills Blvd., Pepper Pike. The cost is $6.50 per
person. For reservations, partners or other information, call
(216)464-3553.
----
Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb19@adelphia.net