Blessed Defender
Lance and i are playing in the local club game. I think we both have a little bit of bridge fever lately, as we approach our San Diego NABC trip next month. We’ve been playing well together lately.
We’re having a good game when we sit down at the table of my least favorite person at the bridge club. He is often rude and/or sexist, and once publicly attacked my ethics (without cause) on the bridge club mailing list. His partner is a congenial fellow, though.
On the first board, red on white, i deal and open 1S with AKJ65 KJ53 62 43. My congenial LHO overcalls 2D. Partner thrumps, and that ends the auction.
| me | LHO | pard | RHO |
| 1S | 2D | 3N | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
RHO, my least favorite player, leads the club six, and partner sees:
 AKJ65
|
 |
| 32
|
KJ53
62
43Third hand (the 2D overcaller) played the 8C and Lance won the J. He played a spade to the Ace, a heart to the Ace and took the spade hook, losing. Our congenial friend cashed AK of diamonds and exited his remaining club (we all watched in amazement as the opening leader followed to two diamonds). The spades did not break, so Lance came to just enough tricks via two spades, four hearts, one diamond and two clubs.
After Lance claimed, my unfavorite RHO (opening leader and, BTW, a Gold Life Master), said “Well partner, i just needed you to have the Jack of clubs…”
Our congenial friend replied, “I wasn’t blessed with the Jack of clubs; i was blessed with diamonds. And, i was blessed with an entry.” (Astute observers may notice that opening leader has no entry to his clubs even if his partner does have the Jack.)
I tried, but couldn’t stop myself from saying, “The only thing you weren’t blessed with was a diamond lead!” Partner chimed in with, “Mayhap you should bid diamonds next time.”
| AKJ65
|
||
| T4
|
|
Q987
|
| 32
|
The moral, of course, is that you can never be at fault if you lead partner’s suit. And, if you’re a jerk to me, i will make a biting remark when opportunity allows!