This hand is from a new book, Bridge Lessons At A Glance, from Pam and Matt Granovetter of Cincinnati. The Granovetters write the monthly column, Partnership Bridge, in the bulletin of the American Contract Bridge League. The are also the publishers of a monthly on-line bridge magazine, Bridge Today.
After South opens with a bid of one no trump, showing a balanced hand with 15 to 17 high card points, North jumps to four hearts. This bid is known as a "Texas Transfer" and is used to show game values with a six card spade suit. The idea is that South will bid four spades and the final contract will be played from the side with the strong hand, thereby hiding those cards form the defenders.
One of the flaws of a transfer bid is that an opponent may double to provide some information to his partner. At the four level, this type of double should be "lead directing". In this case, East wants a heart lead so that he can return his singleton diamond.
West leads the two of hearts. This would tend to indicate that he has an honor in that suit. With no honor, he would likely lead a higher card. East wins the ace and returns his four of diamonds. Declarer wins the ace of diamonds and plays the eight of clubs to the queen in dummy.
A small spade is called for and East plays the ace. A heart to West's king puts him on lead. A small diamond is led and East is able to score the setting trick with the two of spades.
Without the lead directing double, West has no idea of which suit to lead and is as likely to start a club as anything else. Stay alert during the auction and try to help partner out when you have the chance to do so.
Bridge Lessons At A Glance includes forty hands, each with a lesson, and many bonus lessons to think about as well. It is pocket size and contains information for players of all levels of the game. You can order your copy by writing to Bridge Today, 3329 Spindletop Drive N.W., Kennesaw, GA, 40144, or you can visit the website at http://www.bridgetoday.com
The American Contract Bridge League held the Fall North American Bridge Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii from November 16 to 26. Congratulations to Constance Bogan of Strongsville and Herbert and Janice Scibbe of Brecksville who were members of the team that finished first in Bracket 3 of the Bracketed Knockout Teams on November 22 and 23.
The regular Monday afternoon game of the Beachwood Duplicate Bridge Club will be held at 12:15 p.m. at the Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church, 5312 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst on January 15. The regular location, Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, is not available due to holiday programs. For questions or partnership arrangements, call (216) 973-3541.
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Bernstein is
a free-lance writer in Solon. To reach Harvey Bernstein: hjb0416@yahoo.com