BRIDGE
Top behaviour
Andrew Robson
ANDY WARHOL'S prediction that everyone in the future will have 15 min- utes of fame in his/her life should apply to the little known New York rubber bridge player of the Seventies, Larry Edwards. Having length in the oppo- nent's suit and shortage in partner's is seldom a reason to keep on bidding. However, Larry's (North) clever bidding on the following hand is one of the most spectacular exceptions I have ever seen: Dealer Soup . East-West Vulnerable The Bidding North East South West 4V Pass Pass Double Pass 44 5 IP(!)
.54 Pass Pass 6 V(1!) Double Pass Pass Redble Pass Pass Pass South opened 4V — bold but justified at the vulnerability; East reopened with a take-out double (44 is a more sensible alternative) and West bid 44; Edwards, North, envisaged short spades opposite and made the bold call of 5V. He was not over- concerned about his lack of heart support — partner having promised a suit needing little help. East competed with 54 and the auction reverted to Edwards. To double looks tempting, but 54 is only one down. He was now convinced his partner had a spade void and bid 6V — indeed so confi- dent was he that he redoubled. East's dou- ble was perhaps foolish, but no doubt he was hoping that partner would find a dia- mond lead. West led a rather naive spade — clearly the lead for which North was pre- pared. Declarer, having recovered from the shock of seeing dummy, trumped the spade lead and led He was able to draw the trumps and play all his diamonds, losing just VA.
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