Playing rubber bridge against GIB, I am in third seat, not vulnerable against vulnerable. Partner passes, East opens
1
, and I find myself looking at this:
I decide that East-West are making something big, probably in hearts. Surely a game, maybe a slam. My only defensive values are ... well, not much, but what about a sneaky 110xxxx
9
xxxx
Jxx
overcall? Maybe it will keep them out of a good
heart fit, or maybe it will mislead them in the play.
The auction proceeds as follows:
I feel vindicated by West's strong 3
W N E Me Pass 1 1 3 4 Dbl 4 Pass 5 Dbl Pass Pass Pass
, but partner's 4
is not especially pleasant, and
East's double is even worse. Having made my bed, perhaps I should sleep in it and pass, but I decide to run to spades.
Apparently partner doesn't get it, and when his return to 5
is doubled, I pass, because I'd rather play
5
doubled than 6
doubled.
Partner's hand turns out to be
and we end up taking one spade and three trumps for down seven. That's 1300 points their way. Ouch.xxxx
Q10xxxx
xx
x
But have you seen the bright side? East-West had 13 top tricks in 7NT, for 1720 plus the rubber bonus. Unhindered by us, I doubt they'd have had any trouble bidding it, either. What a great sacrifice!