Bridge

Tue., Aug. 17, 2004

Bobby Wolff United Features Syndicate

On today’s deal from “Omar Sharif Talks Bridge,” an updated autobiography of the world’s most famous bridge player, Omar found the 4-4 heart fit but wisely decided to bid six no-trump instead. His idea was to protect himself against bad trump splits and to avoid the risk of an adverse ruff.

After West’s spade lead, Omar had 11 top tricks, and four tricks from the heart suit would bring the total to 12. But before committing himself, Omar next ducked a round of spades to try to get a full count of the hand. East won and switched to the club eight, taken with the ace.

When Omar played a third round of spades, West showed out. Declarer took three rounds of diamonds next and, lo and behold, West showed out on the third round of diamonds too! When East followed to the second round of clubs, Omar now knew that his shape was either 5-0-5-3 or 5-1-5-2.

Next came the heart king, and East followed with the heart eight, which declarer knew must be his one and only heart. So he could now lead out the heart three, and when West produced the six, it was a sure thing to play dummy’s seven! East showed out and Omar claimed his slam.

It would have done West no good to split his J-9 of hearts on the second round, of course, because Omar had retained one club honor as a re-entry to his hand, to repeat the heart finesse if necessary.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

	“9 5 2
	“A Q 7 4
	“A Q 2
	“J 6 4

South	West	North	East
	1 “	Pass	1 “
?

Answer: Pass, rather than doubling, which would be a huge overbid (and misbid). There is no need to charge into your opponents’ auction while both players are unlimited and you have no shape and no tricks. If the opponents bid and support a suit, you might contemplate action in the balancing seat, but not till then.

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