BRIDGE
Green power
Andrew Robson
AN overcall at the two-level should not be made lightly. Unless the suit is six cards in length or an exceptionally strong five, the risk in making such a bid is greater than the reward. Witness the punishment that South received for stepping slightly out of line: Dealer East Neither side vulnerable
0 8 5 3 ♦ J 9 5 • A K 9 6 + 0 7
4 10 V 10
• 8 + 10 9 7 3 2 9 4 4 2 3
4 A J 6
K Q 7 4 • 10 5 K J 8 6
N
W E 4 K • A 8 6 2 • Q J 7 4 3 +A 5 2 The Bidding South West North East 1V 2• double pass pass pass Brilliant media tycoon Michael Green showed great flair and technique with the East cards. His decision to open 1V rather than 1NT was a trifle strange, but his defence to 2• doubled proved he was no lightweight. West led V5 to East's VQ and declarer ducked. East switched to •5 to • J and •K. West switched accurately to a 4 and East won 4A and played •10, cov- ered with 4,C) and won by West's •A. West exited with 4Q, trumped by declar- er. Declarer_played VA and a third V won by West's J. West led +0 and, when declarer ducked, continued with his sec- ond to East's +J. Declarer won +A and exited with a third 4. East won 4K and cashed WK. West's last two cards were •96 sitting over declarer's •74 and declarer conceded. He had made just three tricks — an 1,100 point penalty. Declarer could have saved a trick if he had played low on East's first • — the power of dummy's •8 would have gener- ated a second trump trick. But note East's first • play: he led •5 not •10. More normal thoughr it is to lead the higher card from a doubleton, had he done so he would only have written 800 above the line.
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