IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

As a young man I knew of only one person who was color blind. Today I find that many bridge players are similarly afflicted. Or at least they don’t seem to notice the color red.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-09
Dlr	N
Vul	N/S

	Q875
	J643
	975
	73

	62
	AQ8
	J108
	AK865

	J943
	K1095
	AKQ3
	2

	AK10
	72
	642
	QJ1094

West	North	East	South
-	Pass	1	2
Pass	Pass	DBL	Pass
Pass	Pass

Bidding: South overcalled at the two-level and after looking at the vulnerability, West passed in tempo. East had an automatic reopening double and that became the final contract.

Play: West led the jack of diamonds and continued with a second round. East cashed a third diamond followed by a low heart. West won the queen and continued with the ace and a third round. Declarer ruffed but could only win two spade tricks and two more club tricks for down three and a score of -800. Most E/W pairs played 3NT scoring either +400 or +430.

I don’t know how many players in the South chair chose to overcall but vulnerable bids at the two-level and higher must be sound.

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny