The atmosphere in duplicate bridge, whether pairs or team events, in some of the capitals of South Indian states was markedly casual and easy-going without much of tense moments. At times sarcastic remarks punctuated with spirited discussions taking place across the table. Such an approach to the game is a part of tradition in the second category of bridge players in these parts of India. Thus the conduct of proceedings in a tournament traditionally is made more or less an event of social interaction rather than sheer serious affair.

The social rubber bridge session held following the duplicate contest at Madras Gymkhana Club was not without interest, as some of the players who made a mark during the Winter Bridge Nationals in January, played a hand in a style of their own understanding of bidding. The following deal is illustrative of some variations and modifications of standard pattern of standard American system. It was by a stroke of good luck and fitting combination of cards that the partnership could succeed in their dubious contract of three no trumps.

(1) Negative double

West led spade 4

While the East preempted by bidding 3 spades on the over call 1 spade by his partner, the South was in a fix in taking any action, so he passed to know what the partner has to say. The North, having marginal value in first round control in spades, per force bid three no trumps. It is to be noted that the lesser player sitting in the East position made a remarkable anticipatory bid to take away the bidding space between North and South.

On the lead, the South jumped up winning with the ace of spades and ran the diamond suit squeezing the East in hearts to make 10 tricks, 5 in diamond, 4 in heart and 1 in spade.

The North-South partners congratulated one another for the success of the contract with the odds against them. So the partnership with some reputation having made a mark in the India Bridge Nationals could come up to the expectations against less known club players of Chennai (Madras).

The bidding:

=============================================

South        West        North           East

Nanda       Narain      Puttaswamy       Nair

  1D         1S           Dble (1)        3 S

  Pass     Pass            3NT           Pass

  Pass     Pass

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Dealer South

North South vulnerable

The hand

NORTH

S A85

H KQ43

D 864

C 962

WEST

S K10632

H J96

D 1073

C AQ

EAST

S QJ74

H 10752

D 9

C K843

South

S 9

H A8

D AKQJ52

C J1075

GOLDEN TIPS

Gamble pays at times as a part of the game.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2004