PARTY  TIME

PART TWO
 

In “party bridge” your objective is to maximize total points, and you do not have to win every match to do this.  Consider this deal where the opponents’ bidding is relentless:
 

West          North          East          South
                  1 ©            1 ª             3 ©
 3 ª            4 ©            4 ª             Pass
 Pass           ??
 

You are North holding:
ª 3 2  
© A K 10 9 8
¨ A 6 4
§ K 6 4 3

 

This is an excellent hand, certainly better than minimum.  Partner’s invitational raise indicates 11 or 12 points so 4 hearts would be a good contract.  Alas, the opponents have the superior spade suit.  Here are your three choices and possible outcomes:
 

1.  Pass:  your score will be zero if they make it, or 50 to 100 if you set them.
2.  Bid 5 hearts:  your score will be zero if set, or 150 plus the value of a game or rubber if you make it.
3.  Double:  your score will be zero if they make it, or perhaps somewhere between 100 and 500 if you set them.
 

Notice that any plus scores the opponents earn are not included because there are no minus scores in the usual party bridge game.  With this North hand, the odds of making 5 hearts are not especially good; while the odds of setting 4 spades are at least 50/50.  Clearly the penalty double is the best action.

 

When your side has game values, do not allow the opponents to win the contract without a penalty double.  They will make some of them, but you will reap substantial gains whenever they are don’t.

              

WOOLY WORDS

 

Wooly Wuss (who freely dispatches bridge wisdom) says: “Let an opponent break a new suit.”
Woody Wickum (who dispatches cabs) says:  “Lose one, see what they do.”

 

Wooly says: “When you are not sure what to lead, decide what not to lead.”
Woody says: “Don’t know what to next?  Try partner’s void!”

 

Wooly says: “Support your partner’s major suit.”
Woody says: “When you know where to go, move it.”

 

Wooly says: “Use the finesse to get that extra trick.”
Wily says: “Don’t let the dangerous guy into the lead.”