By Val Rhead
When writing these columns sometimes I benefit too. It helps keep my Bridge sharp and errors to a minimum. Last night, our opponents were bidding frequent games in No Trump. As I recently had written a column on non-standard leads against No Trump, various strategies were fresh in my mind.
In one hand, the opener bid One No Trump. His partner bid Three No Trump. I was on lead. My pathetic hand held two Jacks and no other high-card points. What do I lead? I did have a five-card Diamond suit. So do I lead the fourth highest Diamond? Why would I do that? Even if by some miracle I established a couple of good Diamond tricks, how would I ever get back into my hand to use them? I knew the opponents had at least 25 points. My partner might have around 10 points.
I knew that our opponents weren’t strong in the major suits because they hadn’t bid Stayman. So I led the nine of Hearts from my weakest major to show that I had nothing in the suit. Remember Barbara Seagram’s BOSTON (you lead the Bottom Of Something Top Of Nothing.) I was hoping that I might hit my partner’s good suit. It worked. The opponents only had one Heart stopper. Once it was gone, my partner led out his string of five good Hearts. So, the moral of the story is not to lead your own anemic suit from your “nothing” hand. Try to find your partner’s strength.
In another of opponent’s Three No Trump hands, I held a smattering of about ten points. Of course, this would mean that partner would have very little. If I led from my King fourth of Diamonds, I may give away a trick to their Queen if it is on my right. My partner is unlikely to get on lead enough to help me develop my Diamond suit. I had to lead passively. Let the tricks come to me I remembered. The passive defense on this hand worked too, and the opponents went down.
Listen to the bidding. After the opponent’s Three No Trump, think where your few defensive points might work for you before you make your passive opening lead. “And what do I do,” you think, “when I have nothing in my hand but six Spades to the Ace, King?” Well, that will be the column for next week.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesday evening 7:00, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jun 26 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Gail Lederer and David Bryce; 2. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 3. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 4. Sharon King and Gloria Calhoun; East-West 1. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 2. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 3/4. Art Insley and Don Evans; 3/4. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Jun 25 with 27 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 4. Sandy Retter and David Scarlett; 5. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 6. Beth Henderson and Tom Dyke; 7. Betty Rintoul and Hazel Bowes; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Lynda Mochrie and Wayne Mochrie; 4. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 5. Fay MacDonald and Mary Whitehead; 6. Gaye Kastning and Bill Kastning; 7. Pat Davies and Sue Scott
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