A good bridge partnership, like any other, is based on trust. That was never more evident than in today's hand. Mort Pierce of Chagrin Falls held the South cards. His partner made a take out double at his first opportunity. East bid one spade and Pierce passed. West bid one no trump and North doubled again. East showed support for his partner's suit and Pierce showed his five card heart suit in spite of the fact that he held only two high card points.
North raised hearts and the final contract was three hearts. West started with the king of clubs. Pierce called for the ace and then cashed the ace of spades. The jack of spades was covered by the king and trumped in the closed hand. A heart to the queen placed the lead back in the dummy. The ten of spades allowed Pierce to discard a diamond. The nine of spades was the resting spot for a second diamond. West trumped with the jack of hearts and led the queen of diamonds. This held the trick and the jack of diamonds was covered by the king and the ace. Pierce trumped, drew the last trump and claimed ten tricks, losing a heart, a diamond, and a club.
In the post-mortem he apologized for not bidding the heart game, though bidding three and making four was a very good result. I think he deserves full credit for bidding his hearts. He showed full faith in his partner and was rewarded appropriately.
Unit 125 of the American Contract Bridge League held the Silver Bowl Sectional Bridge Tournament in Solon on August 3-5. The following players were successful in their respective events on August 5.
Stratified Flight A Swiss Teams (15 teams). Stratum A1. 1. Phillip Becker, Beachwood, Kumar Bhatia, Pepper Pike, Niel Waletzky and James Zimmerman, Shaker Heights. 2. Roger Tiktin, Lakewood, Joanne Antoniou and Jack Weingold, Shaker Heights, and Molly O'Neill, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Stratum A2. 1. John and Jerri Harper, Beachwood, James Sullivan, Richfield, and James Ineich, Honolulu, HI. 2. Dolores Bloom, Warren, Rosemarie Muccio, Niles, Vernon De Jong, Sharon, PA, and Pauline Sostarich, Hermitage, PA.
Bracketed Swiss Teams. Bracket 1 (8 teams). 1. Michael Stahr and Jayne Fleming, Stow, Brad Helman, Canton, and Carol Ann Kuhlke, North Canton. 2. Edith Dus-Garden, Fairview Park, Douglas Henderson, Rocky River, Judy Saccogna, Kent, and Susan Bussan, Cuyahoga Falls. Bracket 2 (8 teams). 1. Judy Hanna, Chagrin Falls, Katy Gleason, Pepper Pike, Audrey May and Isabel Worthington, Aurora. 2 Janice Smith, Barberton, Marilyn Bolender, Wadsworth, Barbara Wallman, Massillon, and Stephanie Bernstein, Solon. Bracket 3 (15 teams). 1. Pamela Jones, Shaker Heights, Barbara Cunliffe, Bentleyville, Stephanie James, Chagrin Falls, and Jayne Brooks, Gates Mills. 2. Ellen Rie, Cleveland, Vivien Sevin, Lyndhurst, Gayle Singer, Moreland Hills, and Joan Rogoff, Beachwood.
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