Stamford Bridge Club: playing through the pandemic

It would be easy to think, during these difficult days and the current lockdown, the bridge club’s activities are restricted to playing in the virtual club, writes Marcus Witt from Stamford Bridge Club.

Not so. Our online activities include running the courses that we would, in normal times, have put on in the clubhouse.

There are courses for beginners (run by either Fred David or John Prior) and improvers (Paul Double).

The lessons use a combination of the bridge-playing platform BBO and the meetings software Zoom.

Apart from finding a mutually convenient time for everyone, the only restriction is having four people available before a course can begin.

Please email me via marcusstamfordwitt@gmail if you are interested.

Hand of the week

Some years ago Bols, the drinks company, sponsored a competition, from which a book was produced asking the world’s leading players to come up with a worthwhile tip.

Tony Forrester, England’s top player, put forward the idea of the power of the hidden hand.

Today’s hand, from a practice match, fits the bill.

As can be seen, a wheel came off but declarer, looking at the defence being able to cash two aces, didn’t give up.

South took the opening trump lead and drew two more rounds.

Now a club was played to dummy, West playing low.

The moment of truth and that power of the hidden hand.

Declarer played a low heart. East eyed this (and dummy’s heart honours) suspiciously... but played low.

The undisclosed HJ took the trick and South breathed a sigh of relief.

Two winning aces had become one and the dreadful slam rolled in.

Yes, South recovered from a bad situation but there were some clues for the defence.

Declarer had sought to stop in 5S, suggesting two losers.

With a void heart (East’s fear when playing low when the heart was led from dummy), South would have been likely to bid the slam directly (and probably would not have used Blackwood).

Some defensive signalling would also have worked, irrespective of who takes the first defensive trick.

West could encourage a switch to clubs by discarding C3 (playing “low likes”).

East could play his spades from the top down (9-8-5). That would indicate an entry in the highest-ranking side suit, heart.

Tip

No matter how silly the contract, don’t panic. There may be a way forward. It may be a swindle but if it’s the only chance, take it.