Bridge

The East District Individual for the Faie Rosebowl was won by Trina Rogerson with Iain Sime in second and Liz Barr third.

Individual events have been simplified by the introduction of a set simple system, but that has not led to a series of similar results, as this simple-looking board illustrates. 2S-Pass-3S-4H looks to be the normal auction to good contract that fails because there are two heart losers. But only two tables played in 4H, and one declarer was allowed to make ten tricks. One pair allowed themselves to be pushed to 5H, doubled for 300, the best result for North-South.

This was the worst North-South result. South’s decision to wait before supporting partner had unfortunate consequences. Lebensohl was not listed as a convention, so East bid 3D over West’s double. Some pairs actually played in diamonds, where ten tricks can be made. At the featured table West followed up with 4H, showing an even stronger hand than this. When South decided to mastermind things by bidding 4S East was happy to double: she had one sure trick in the ace of trump and only two cards in partner’ suit. When declarer failed to drop the king of clubs he lost 500.

South does better either to support partner right away, bidding a nonforcing 3S to remove opponents’ room; or to bid 4C over 3D, suggesting a sacrifice if partner has a fit for clubs, then respecting partner’s decision to defend.