Bridge at the international competition becomes an ecstatic experience demanding logical approach bordering on mathematical accuracy in bidding and play at every step of the game. A great many conventions have been invented with the object of communicating the shape and strength of different types of hands in precise terms for successful results and positive score. This way the game has assumed scientific proportions requiring deep study of conventions for their practical application with understanding between partners.

There are innumerable examples of good bidding based on purely conventional bids that could not have precisely conveyed the message by simple and natural bidding sequences. One of such classical models of bidding is reproduced here that has helped Pakistani team to record victory over the Argentine team in the semi-final of the Bermuda Bowl in 1981. The contest was between the Pakistan pair of Jan-e-Alam Fazli and Munir Attaullah versus Gustavo Alujas and Luis Allaguile of Argentina.

This deal shows mastery over conventional and competitive bidding with razor's edge precision by both sides. Any one step beyond in bidding would have resulted in considerable negative score for any side going over board.

(1) Michaels cue-bid; showing spades and other minor

(2) Raising the bid with no defensive hand.

(3) Unconditionally forcing to bid game in spades

(4) Being non-vulnerable prepared for a sacrifice by 2 or 3 tricks.

The bridge circles of Bermuda appreciated the bidding sequence of both the pairs as mentioned above. After Michaels cue-bid by Jan-e-Alam Fazli, Munir Ataullah made a further cue-bid in opponent suit to force a game on his spade holding and the minor club suit taking a calculated risk that even the other minor i.e, diamond suit holding by his partner would be for the advantage of his side as there was a ruffing value potential for massive trump holding in both hands. As it is evident from the diagram of the hands that the West could make the contract of five spade against any defence. So also the South could make a contract of four hearts if he could avoid a ruff in the clubs suit. And even if he goes down by two tricks by conceding one ruff and King of diamond, the North-South, being non-vulnerable would be better in score as against East-West making a contract of five hearts in vulnerable position for a score of 650.

North led ace of heart

After winning the first trick the North switched to 6 of clubs, which the declarer won with the ace in dummy and drew one round of trump with the king of spade in the dummy and played a small diamond from the dummy on which the South won the ace and played back king of clubs which the declarer ruffed in hand and claimed the contract on dropping the Queen of Diamond from the South on the diamond king. The complex bidding ended with a simple maneuver.

THE BIDDING:

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

South       West     North           East

Gustavo     Jan-e-   Luis             M. 

Alujas      Alam    Allaguile   Attaullah

1H          2H (1)   3H (2)        4H (3)

5H (4)      5 S       Pass           Pass

Pass

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

DEALER SOUTH:

East-West vulnerable

NORTH

S 10

H A9832

D 8754

C J86

WEST

S AQJ986

H J

D KJ1093

C 5

EAST

S K5432

H 7

D 62

C AQ432

SOUTH

S 7

H KQ10654

D AQ

C K1097

GOLDEN TIP: Precise bidding is an art of scientific dimension.

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Copyright Business Recorder, 2004