Today's hand is a good example of a bidding convention known as Cue-Bid Stayman. When an opponent makes an overcall of your one no trump opening bid, your partnership should have some agreements about the subsequent bidding.
The most common approach for this situation is to play that a double is for penalty, and all other bids are natural, with the exception of a direct cue-bid. That call should show a minimum of ten points and either both majors (if the overcall was a minor suit) or the unbid major. The opener can now evaluate his hand and set the final contract.
In this case, with spades stopped and only a three card heart suit, South decided to play the no trump game. West led a heart and declarer won the ten. He played the ace of clubs and followed with a small club. When West produced the queen, declarer allowed that trick to hold.
West got off lead with a diamond but South could not be stopped from scoring ten tricks: one spade, three hearts, two diamonds, and four clubs.
The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) held the Fall North American Bridge Championships in Denver, CO from November 17-28. Congratulations to the following players who were successful in their respective events.
Sharon Fairchild of Rocky River was a member of the team that finished first in the Midnight Swiss Teams on 11-18.
Hao Ge of Cleveland and his partner came in second in the morning side game on 11-19. He was also a member of the teams that finished second in Bracket 2 of the Knock Out Teams on 11- 22, fourth in Bracket 2 of the Compact Knock Out Teams on 11-24, and first in first in Bracket 1 of the Knock Out Teams on 11-26.
John Kranyak of Bay Village was a member of the team that finished first in Bracket 1 of the Compact Knock Out Teams on 11- 19. He was also a member of the teams that finished in a tie for third place in Bracket 1 of the Knock Out Teams on 11-20, fourteenth in the Open Board-A-Match Teams on 11-22, and second in Stratum B of the Stratified Swiss Teams on 11-27.
John and his father, Kenneth Kranyak of Bay Village were 41st in the prestigious Blue Ribbon Pairs on 11-24. Kenneth Kranyak and his partner also finished first in a side game on 11- 26.
Laurie Kranyak of Bay Village and her partner were fourth in the Life Master Women's Pairs on 11-20. She was also a member of the team that finished ninth in the Women's Board-A-Match Teams on 11/24.
Andreas and Elmerice Traks of Cleveland were fourth in a side game on 11-20 and second in Stratum C of the stratified pairs on 11-21.
Jan Assini of Aurora was a member of the team that finished second in the Flight A Swiss Teams on 11-22. She and her partner were also first in Stratum A of the Stratified Mixed Pairs on 11- 23.
Davis Bonner of Chillicothe (formerly of Solon) and his partner finished first in Stratum A of the Stratified Pairs on 11-25.
The Cleveland Whist Club, Unit 125 of the ACBL, will hold
it's annual holiday party and stratified pairs on Wednesday,
December 21st at St. Michael's Woodside, 5035 Mill Road,
Broadview Heights. Game time is 7:15 p.m. For additional
information call (330) 722-8214.
----
Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon.
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb0416@yahoo.com