New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-30

whole, was not inherently strong
enough 20 be independent Of partners
support, nor was it void Of winning
cards to forward partnership declara-
ton different from the one bid
West passed. though a double in his
position could be seriously considered
conservatism, however, could we'll be
excused on the ground Of thoughts Of
possible results followed forced
double Of two-suiter with solid dia-
monds as the second suit. North said
nothing IN view OF his partners high
bid. though diamond declaration
would have eventually led 20 two
royals. the most effective make for
the combined hands, had the opponents
allowed the bidding TO go uncontestcd.
last bid three diamonds on his minor
suit without tops. forcing West TO three
no trumps, which North doubled, end
ing the bidding
No mention was made Of the line Of
play adopted in the play-ofF, only the
final result being given. This showed
East and West two tricks short Of their
contract, losing 200 points.
As North and South were really en-
titled TO only five tricks, just enough
10 set the contract by one trick. the
declarer must have played badly AZ
some stage. possibly neglecting 20 lead
the singleton heart through South.
Had East passed fourth-hand permit
ting South's declaration Of two hearts
20 hold. the contract would have been
defeated by three tricks, giving East
and West $50 points above the line
difference Of $50 points as compared
with the actual result.
What action South would have taken
or doc y . .s. ~ fHrp lia DC
original one heart is a matter Of CON
lecture. Following precedent in such
cases, however. South would have in
creased his bid. which East would have
again overcsiled. bringing about the
same situation that actually occurred
There were various points for East
20 consider before venturing upon q
declaration. The most important was
the possibility Of the opponents going
game i unopDoscd at their declaration
At love score four odd. or ten tricks,
had 70 be secured for game at the ad-
verse declaration. task evidently not
without difficulty. The question in CON
nection with this 70 be considered was
the possibility Of the combined hands
Yielding the essential four tricks to
save game. His own hand promised one
lack and small club. The only ac-
ton that could afford him any index 10
his partners holding was Vests re
fusal TO overcall the sdversary's bid,
coupled with his own weakness in the
suit. As far as differences 90 this lat
ter would lend color TO the possi bilitv
of heart strength in Vests hand and
his satisfaction at the opposing make
II this condition prevailed Il was not
unreasonable to expect sufficient add
tIonal tricks forthcoming from Vests
hand 70 save game.
The next point Of Importance for
East to consider was the possible effect
his declaration OF three diamonds would
have on the mind of his partner. Would
West construe it as an effort 10 save
game or an aggressive bid 70 so game
II the former view were taken il
would ask for support In the diamond
suit itself. AS. unopposed, the oppo-
nents had to secure four odd TO 60
game. there was little TO be accom-
plished by attempting TO force them up.
II the latter view prevailed il would
call for changed declaration. which
could be no other than no-trump. Was
there reasonable ground for hope Of
success with his long suit lacking the
two top cards? This could only be as
sured by his partners strength in both
diamonds and hearts. Without either
top diamond in his partners hand there
was practically no chance Of bringing
in the suit With one of the tops in
Vests hand and the other in the
adversary's impossible to catch by
nnesse), success would depend upon