BRIDGE
Not quite true
Andrew Robson
South West North East 1+ pass 14 pass 2+ pass 2• pass 3+ pass 5+ pass pass pass The key bid in the above auction was North's 2• bid — 'false preference'. With his hand not strong enough for 2NT and his 4s not strong enough to rebid, the 2• bid kept the bidding alive, allowing South to rebid 3+ to show two five-card minors and extra values. Realising that the major suits would be too weak for 3NT with part- ner only holding three cards, North judged well to jump to 5+, the only making game contract.
West led V10 and declarer won dummy's VA. At trick two he led 43 to 4K and West's 4A, West following by leading VK. Declarer ruffed and cashed 4AK, both opponents following. Leaving the master 440 outstanding, he proceeded to test his chances in 4s (+s could wait). He crossed to 40 and trumped 45. With the suit split- ting 3-3, declarer was home. He crossed to • K and led 49. East trumped with +0 discarding would have worked no better and led VQ. Declarer trumped, cashed • A, trumped •7 with dummy's last trump and enjoyed 47. ONE OF bridge's oxymorons is the giving of 'false preference'. It occurs when part- ner has bid two suits (guaranteeing a mini- mum of five cards in the first and four in the second). If you have two cards in his first suit and three in the second, there are good reasons for returning the bidding to his first suit. Not only does a five-two trump fit generally play better than a four- three fit, but by bidding at all you are giv- ing partner a chance to go further.
Dealer South Neither side vulnerable • A 6 4
✓ K 10 9 6
• Q 9 3 2 + J 7 • K 8 ✓ 8 • A J 8 7 6 + A K 10 9 8
4 Q 9 7 5 3
• A 5 4 • K 5 • 6 5 2 • J 10 2 • 7 3 2
• 10 4 + 0 4 3
N
w E
S
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