This may be the last in the series since I have a very busy schedule coming up. I'm going to New England from November 20 through December 1. Then I have cataract surgery on my left eye on December 3 and on my right eye on December 9. Then I am going to Mexico December 22 thru December 28.

 

KAMIKAZE FRED

When I began playing bridge in earnest in the early 1960’s, I began to understand that the traits and idiosyncrasies of the opponents could be used to my advantage. Before starting my Sunday shift at the Boston Herald sports department, I would play at a colleague’s house in a rubber match game from 1 to 5 PM. The stakes were $1 for every 100 point deficit. So losing by 5,000 points would cost you $50. That represented a good portion of my weekly salary, so disciplined bidding was the rule for everyone - except Fred. Although he didn’t play often, Fred was the type of individual we see all the time - people who “bid on air.” On one particular Sunday, Fred outdid himself. With both sides vulnerable, my partner and I bid to the 2 Spade level and quit (enough to take the rubber), but not Fred who bid 3 Hearts. A doubled 5-trick set earned us a 900-point profit (old fashioned scoring). On the very next hand, the bidding goes exactly the same, and this time we reap an 1,100-point reward. Fred’s partner says, “Nice going Fred. You just cost us $20 and they’re still vulnerable.”
 

WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT

My late partner Dan Cunningham was a true gentleman and an excellent bridge player. He was also a pragmatist who had both feet on the ground. At the Countryside Community Center on a Tuesday morning, I declared in a 3 NT contract which was cold. I must have had a “senior moment” because 13 clubs had shriveled to only 12. Fearing a club honor still existed, I switch my attention to another suit and promptly went down. After scoring the board, Dan and I made our way to the next table. I began to berate myself quite loudly, “You dumb SOB. You call yourself a bridge player and you can’t even count to 13.” Just then, Dan placed an arm on my should and said, “Hey Jim, what are you complaining about? The sun is shining and you’re above ground.” Boy, I miss that guy.

I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT BRIDGE

I used to play against a lady who, although an accomplished player, had a rather irritating attitude. It was almost as if we were fortunate to be in her presence. I capitalized on that particular trait one day. In first seat, white-on-red, I held a flat 18-HCP which included KQ10x in hearts. I opened a Precision Club and when Dan alerted, my RHO (Mrs. Big Shot) said, “Don’t bother. I know everything about bridge.” Dan bid 1 NT (9+HCP) which I alerted and RHO bid 2 Hearts. I couldn’t get the red card on the table fast enough. A three-trick set netted us a nifty +800. “Well, I had an opening hand,” she wailed. “That’s nice,” I replied as I made my way to the next table.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

About a week before Christmas of 2007, Adam Kaplan and I were having an excellent round. Not only were we playing well, but the opponents were playing Santa Claus. As N-S at table 1, our boards were passed to table 14 where Charlotte Kartsonis and Marion Ellingsen sat N-S. The last two boards really took the cake. Adam opened a weak NT and I transferred to hearts, LHO doubled, and after Adam bid, the hand was passed out. Not only did we steal the hand with a combined 16 HCP, but the defense floundered badly and Adam made the bid. On the next board, Adam is in 4 Hearts, making six when the defense takes a vacation. After the round, we walk over to table 14. Charlotte peeks at us from behind her “granny” glasses and says rather sarcastically, “You guys have a nice round? Lots of presents for Christmas?” Then she looks at Adam and says,” And you don’t even celebrate it.” Adam and I laugh so hard we are almost crying. Coming in first and besting the top pair in the house is hard to beat.

Merry Christmas!

 

Sincerely, Jim Somma{easycomments}