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Contrary to the norm.

Are computer dealt hands freakier than ones we deal ourselves? The argument has raged for years and most of us feel that is the case. We are lazy shufflers and thus are more likely to produce lots of flattish deals. “We” never got to deal any boards in the recent World Champs in Buenos Aires. Thus, it was no surprise when this little number came along to those in the Women’s and Seniors’ qualifying events. What would be your first bid? Oh, you were not first to speak! Indeed, everyone had a chance to speak before you:

 

This is not a hand to pre-empt. This is a hand of great promise. Nevertheless, there are many different approaches to such a deal. Some will bid what they hope they can make. Others will investigate a little. Bidding anything other than diamonds carries a risk but surely making a take-out double is a risk worth taking.

Is partner really going to pass your double for penalties? A hand that could not open a Weak 2 is most unlikely to do so, though maybe partner is well-behaved and held 6 hearts and 4 spades? If that was their hand, then our chances beyond the 5-level would be slim. So, double it is and the bidding was soon back in our court:

 

 3 was described as “pre-emptive”. So, what now? There seems to be not much opposite us in the North hand. Thus, a little pessimistically, I reached for the 5 card…and no-one disturbed that. What would I gain from a second double? It did  not seem I would glean much. There was now a greater risk of this being passed out.

Alas, a second double would have worked a treat. Have you ever cringed when dummy went down? Normally, the cringe is because dummy is just so bad or has been so misdescribed by one’s partner. How to make the best of such a bad collection? Well, seeing as North had not uttered a word, I could not be disappointed. I was not. I was horrified!

 

It happens once in a very long lifetime and it occurred at entirely the wrong moment for me! Welcome to  the perfect dummy! I wanted at least to change the J for the 4 and then when both diamonds and clubs broke badly, my pessimism would be rewarded.

I managed to ruff the opening lead and cringe as both opponents followed to the trump ace. I cannot remember thanking partner for this dummy. Even politeness has its boundaries!

Of course, had I chanced a second take-out double, North would have sprung to life with 4. Well, there would be no guarantees but my next bid would have been at the 6-level and then I would thank partner. Trumps would still have been diamonds. We all know never to put down an 8-card suit as dummy.

We did  not lose imps on this deal. I believe my opponent just jumped to 5 over 1. At least I tried!

In the Seniors’ event, 6 of a minor was bid 9 times, the same number as those in 5. 6x doubled was bid once, -800 while the USA managed to play 5 undoubled for a gain of 13 imps. I can only imagine Zia Mahmoud, a member of the USA Seniors' team,  was charming his opponents at the time! 

For NZ Women, Jenna Gibbons jumped immediately to 6 and tied the board there. Obviously, she expects her partner to produce better dummy’s than I do! Altogether 6 was bid 8 times, once doubled. 14 pairs played in 5. 6 x was played once and the “pessimists’ award goes to the Mexican pair who made it all the way to 4!

So, lightening struck once, the perfect dummy. The first board of the Point A Board competition saw West holding:

 

 

Normally, that’s a fair West hand. However, I kind of got the feeling that we did not have too much defence to 6. On the basis that our most likely source of a defensive trick was in clubs rather than hearts, I bid 7. The subsequent bidding was rather swift:

 

The play was even quicker than the bidding and we collected 0 points from defending the “perfect contract.” The 7NT sacrifice would not have been much of a success. Not even Zia could avoid a double!

Now, all I can say, is that not all dummies were as perfect in Buenos Aires as the 2 above. Before, you all start getting over- optimistic every time you have a freakish hand, do remember that it is only once every life-time that partner produces perfect cards.

Richard Solomon

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