Bridge - The Scotsman 11/05/2012

This freak deal comes from a Swiss Teams event. South became quite excited when partner opened the bidding, but it was not her side that could make slam.

At most tables West butted into South’s projected sequence with a 3D overcall. North passed. Some Easts also passed, figuring that a lack of high cards was an impediment to bidding, but with four-card support and a useful void the hand is worth a raise. Over 4D South tried to play in game by rebidding her hearts, but West bid 5D to make. Now South introduced her clubs, surprising the other players, particularly North. West doubled 6C, expecting to make a spade trick or two against any contract, and North returned to hearts. East doubled, and the defenders made two trump and a diamond for two down, 500.

South was critical of North’s conversion to 6H but slightly less so when it was pointed out that the 3-0 break scuppers 6C; if declarer draws all the trump she must lose a diamond and a heart; if she does not West makes a heart ruff. In fact North-South had stumbled into Absolute Par, the contract that represents the best efforts of both sides, since West can make 6D by ruffing three clubs in dummy. More than one North-South pair scored -1540, but some scored far better. Where East took no part in the bidding South played in 5C doubled for +750.