Evening star., 1931-12-30
CULbERTSON LEAD
REDUCED TO 1890
Lenz, With Comdr. Liggett as
Partner, Wins Five of
Nine Rubbers.
Ry the Associated Press.

partner, SlQ0ey .. IeGlZ was 0ZU pUlIltS
nearer Ely Culbertson today in the pro-
longed test of contract bridge systems.
With Comdr Winfield Liggett, jr., U.
S N, retired, opposite him in place of
Oswald Jacoby, resigned, Lenz won five
of nine rubbers at the fifteenth session,
ending this morning, and cut the CuI-
bertson lead to ,320.
There are 38 more rubberS in the Sc
rieS. CulbertSons side has accumulated
90, $50 points, as against $3.50, and has
won 63 rubbers, against 40. Play will
be resumed tonight.
Three doubles were factors in the Ses-
Sion'S swing. Liggett, doubled at five
clubs, took all the tricks; doubled at
five hearts, he fulfilled his contract. He
was not vulnerable either time. Doubled
when vulnerable in a contract for four
spades, Lenz made five.
Could Have Prevented Slam.
The advantage obtained by the dou-
bleS was diminished when Mrs. Cul-
bcrtSon succeeded at a little slam vul-
ncrahle, giving her 700 rubber. Lig-
RCtt could have prevented the slams
success by correct choice of an opening
/ lead He could have set Mrs. Culbert-
son once when he doubled her at two
diamonds but failed.
With the departure of Jacoby and his
psychic bids and sets to prevent the
other side going game, Lenz was in good
humor, which he retained even when
pointing out errors to Liggett, long a
favorite partner of his at auction and
now member of the Advisory Council
of Bridge Headquarters, Inc, sponsors
OF the Official" system of contract
Lenz and Liggett were set only three
times for minor losses.
Culbertson blamed the decrease of
his plus on freak distribution. For
instance, when Liggett took l3 tricks
on contract for five clubs doubled,
LenZ had no spades and Liggett had
no diamonds. Mrs. CulbertSon, who
held two aces and two kings, could
take no tricks. Distribution favored
Lenz and Liggett on the other doubles
also.
Culbertson Is Confident.
CulbertSon remained confident about
the outcome of the 150-rubber match,
pointing out that the rate of gain for
Lenz's side in the last two sessions
would leave it far behind at the end
of the match.
Presumably. Lggett will continue as
Lenz's partner to the end, since Jacoby
announced he would not return. Mrs.
CulbertSon has at least 10 more rub
Gus other partners in view. One whom
he had in mind, Mrs. John A Warner,
daughter of Alfred E. Smith, has found
she will be unable to play.
With both sides vulnerable, Culbert-
son doubled Lenz at four spades on
hand $40 and LenZ made five. In an
effort to prevent game contract, Cul-
bertson overcalled two spades with
three clubs, holding the king. knave,
10 and deuce. Walter MaloWan, acting
as commentator for Lenz in place Of
Jacoby, remarked: Ely doesn't seem
to be afraid of anything. I certainly
admire his nervy three-club bid" Gull
bertson commented that the double
was a bit weak and that "a distribu-
tional storm" was raging
The hand:
LEM (NORTH), DEALER.
S.-A Q 6 S 43
H-K J 2
DIX 93
C-9
CULBERTsON MRS. GILBERT
(WEST). SON (EAST).
S.-8 $50 2
H-A 7 S H.-l0
Do J74 D-8 6
C.-K 10 2 CA @ 6 3
LIGGETT (SOUTH.
SIX J9
H-Q s 4 8
D.-A 10 2
CT 54
The bidding: North, one spade; East, |
pass; South, two spades, West, three |
clubs; North, three spades; East, four
clubs; South, pass; West, pass; North, |
four spades; East, pass; South, pass;
West, double; all pass.
Mrs CulbertSon led the ace CT clubs. |
The only other trick taken by the Gull
bertsons was with the ace of hearts.
Makes Five Hearts Doubled.
Liggett made five hearts doubled on
hand 658 The Culbertsons took only
They held the ace and king of dia-
monds. but Lenz was void.
The hand:
LEM CNORTH).
S-J 43
H-K 5 ,
D-None.
CO 097
CULBERTsON MRS. CULBERT-
(WEST). SON EAST.
S-A1O7 S.-6
H-3 H.-10 90
Do 10 4 D.-A K 2
C.-5 2 CA 3
LIGGETT (SOUTH, DEALER.
SIX @ 5
H-A @ 8 7 4
Do 83
C-K 6
The bidding: South, one heart; West,
two diamonds; North, three hearts;
East, four diamonds South four hearts;
West, five diamonds; North, pass; East,
pass: South, double; West pass North,
five hearts; East, double; all pass Gull
bertson led the queen Of diamonds.