Bridge - The Scotsman, 28/01/13

THE Stirling Pairs was inaugurated by Stirling Bridge Club, but is now run in Falkirk.

As in most events, numbers have fallen from their peak in the 1980s, but this event holds its own with 82 pairs this year. Winners were Bill Ross and Ray Gallacher from Aberdeen. Second equal were Edinburgh’s George Plant and Jake Corry, and Glasgow’s Paul Maiolani and Ian Patrick.

This deal was particularly interesting as a Pairs problem. South’s 4S opener is routine at teams, but risks an unnecessary minus score at Pairs. Here 4S is unbeatable, but West will not allow South to play there. He bids 4NT, converting 5C to 5D to show a red two-suiter. 5D loses one spade and one heart for 11 tricks, +400. North-South do better to sacrifice in 5S, but North has no obvious tricks, and South’s suit is too gappy to bid twice.

An alternative approach for South is to test the water by opening 1S. West overcalls a Michaels 2S and East probably bids 4H. South should now bid on with 4S, giving East-West a tricky decision. If West passes East could bid 4NT, asking West to bid his minor, but he might prefer an unsuccessful penalty double.

One South tried 3S. West doubled, East bid 4C and West converted to 4D. Now East had a go at 4H. If West is declarer a diamond lead from North beats 4H, but the game cannot be beaten from the East seat. 5D looks a superior contract, but it loses out to 420 at pairs.