BRIDGE
Gambling
Andrew Robson
HISTORICALLY, an opening bid of 3NT showed a balanced hand with 25 or 26 points. This is a rare hand and it is best opened 2+ (which shows any hand with 23 or more points, unrelated to clubs); a rebid of 3NT will carry the required message. The modern 3NT opening bid shows a long solid minor suit with little outside strength — the so-called 'Gambling 3NT'. It is such • a specific bid that it is usually easy for part- ner to judge the optimum contract (yet very difficult for the opponents, who must start their bidding at the four level).
Dealer North East – West Vulnerable
The Bidding
South West North East
3NT Pass 6+ Pass Pass Pass North's gambling 3NT gave South, Francine Winham, scope for great flair in both the bidding and the play. She knew partner's solid suit was diamonds and could count three sure tricks (4AK & +A) in addition to the seven or eight diamonds she expected from partner. Hoping her heart honours and spade length might bring her trick total to twelve, slip bid 6.. West led +J; Francine tried 4Q from dummy, but she was forced to win with her ace when East covered the queen with his king. Staring at a club loser in addition to VA, desperate measures were called for: she cashed 4A, ruffed a spade with the +A and led a diamond. She needed a second diamond entry to establish the fifth spade, so that when East followed with the +6, she played +8. When that held, she ruffed a third spade with •K and crossed to the +10. With both opponents following, she could cash 4K and the established fifth spade discarding both dummy's losing clubs. Her only loser was the VA.
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