Distribution is the most important factor in this game we play. It's great to have a lot of high card points, but there is nothing like a couple of long suits to warm the cockles of your heart.
West opened the bidding with a one spade call and North had a problem. Had I held those cards I think I would have passed, but a take out double would have been one of the options I would have considered. I don't think that East has a one no trump bid, but the East-West partnership had an agreement that they will make the call they were going to make as if there were no intervening double.
At any rate, South knew that his partner had at least a four card heart suit and some values, so he took advantage of the vulnerability and jumped to four hearts. West led the king of spades. Declarer trumped and led a club towards the dummy. West won the king and led his singleton nine of hearts. Declarer went up with the ace and starting trumping spades and clubs back and forth. East eventually scored his king of hearts and declarer made five for an excellent result.
When you are trying to evaluate your hand, keep in mind that distributional hands have a great deal of potential if you can find a fit with your partner. Don't be afraid to be a bit aggressive with these types of hands.
The Spring North American Bridge Championships were held in Pittsburgh, PA from March 10 - 20. Congratulations to all of the area players who enjoyed success at this tournament. Other results appeared previously. More will be listed in future columns.
March 17. Doug Henderson of Cleveland and his partner were tied for 4th in Stratum C of the evening side game. Henderson and his partner were also 3rd in Stratum C of the senior pairs. Alex McCrea of Shaker Heights was a member of the team that was 4th in Stratum B of the B/C/D Swiss teams. Robert Phifer of Willoughby and D. Albertone of Wickliffe were 1st in Stratum B of the Cardinal Health fast open pairs. Phifer and Albertone were 5th in Stratum B and Lesley Green of Lakewood with Patti Perlmuter of Beachwood were 1st in Stratum C or the IMP pairs. Victor Vertes of Cleveland and Marlene Zinamon of Beachwood were members of the team that was 1st in the late night Swiss teams. Julia Allen of Willoughby and Jeffery Myers of Willowick were 4th in Stratum B of the PNC Bank fast open pairs. Hao Ge of Shaker Heights was a member of the team that was 1st in bracket 2 of the morning knockout teams.
March 18. Hao Ge of Shaker Heights was a member of the team that was 1st in bracket 3 of the Louis Cohen knockout teams. Robert Dykes of Lakewood was a member of the team that was 4th in bracket 3 of the compact knockout teams. Kenneth and Laurie Kranyak of Bay Village were members of the team that was 3rd in bracket 1; Lesley Green of Lakewood and Patti Perlmuter of Beachwood were members of the team that was 3rd in bracket 7; and Janet Rice and Chantel Whitney of Cleveland were members of the team that was 3rd in bracket 9 of the consolation compact knockout teams. Michelle Allen of Waite Hill and Gary Sikon of North Royalton were members of the team that was 3rd in Stratum B of the evening swiss teams. Susan Conrad of Madison and her partner were 1st in Stratum B of the afternoon side game. Laurie Kranyak and her partner were 17th in the Whitehead women's pairs. James and Carolyn Sullivan of Richfield were 17th in the red ribbon pairs.
The Cleveland Whist Club, unit 125 of the American Contract
Bridge League, will host its annual Membership Meeting and Dinner
(including an afternoon of bridge) on May 15. This event will be
held at St. Michaels Woodside, 5035 Mill Road, Broadview Heights
at 1:30 p.m. A short meeting which will recognize new 2004
Life Masters and winners of the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney
competition will be followed by dinner and bridge. The cost is
$16 per person. Reservations are required by May 8. Call (330)
722-8214 for more information and reservations.
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Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb19@adelphia.net