121 995
rr
LENZ&O
on
'BRIDGE
VOLUME TWO
SIDNEY S. LENZ
SIMON & SCHUSTER
NEW YORK
1927
CONTENTS
I PASSING FANCY! ...... i
II DISCARD AND DISCORD ..... 6
III FOUR-CARD Surr-BiD$ ..... II
IV PLAYS THAT WIN GAMES .... 17
V THE FICKLE GODDESS ...... 22
VI WHY ORIGINAL BIDS SHOULD HAVE
QUICK TRICKS ...... 27
VII THE OPTIMIST ....... 32
VIII WHEN INFORMATORY DOUBLES SHOULD
BE LEFT IN ....... 37
IX SCINTILLATING PLAY ..... 42
X A LEADING QUESTION ..... 47
XI LUCK .......... 52
XII PREEMPTIVE STRATEGY ..... 57
XIII LEADING TRUMPS TO THE MAKER . . 62
XIV THE OPPORTUNIST ...... 67
XV BIDS TO THE SCORE ...... 72
XVI AUCTION BRIDGE IN DUPLICATE . . 77
XVII THE VERY WORST ...... 82
XVIII UNDERLEASING ....... 86
XIX THROWING THE LEAD ..... 91
XX THE QUITTER ........ 96
XXI THE REQUIREMENTS TOR DEFENSIVE
BIDS ......... ioi
XXII FAVORING CHANCES ...... 106
XXHf WHEN COUNTING COUNTS . . . . in
XXIV ADDED POSSIBILITIES ...... 116
XXV INFERENCES THAT WIN ..... m
XXVI FORCING THE ISSUE
CONTENTS
OHAPTEB PA<31
XXVII THE NEGATION THEORY 131
XXVIII SAFETY FIRST 136
XXIX BORDERLINE HANDS 141
XXX LOCATING A CARD 146
XXXI PLAYING AGAINST PAR 151
XXXII CHAMPIONSHIP HANDS 156
XXXIII' To THE RESCUE! 160
XXXIV COUNTING THE LOSERS 166
XXXV TECHNIQUE 171
XXXVI THE GAME OR THE BLOW * . * . 175
XXXVII QUICK ON THE TRIGGER 179
XXXVIII DELICATE PLAY 184
XXXIX No LAW AGAINST TRYING * . . ,189
XL A CAMOUFLAGE DOUBLE * * * * 194
XLI HELPLESS! *.....*. 198
XLII JUDGMENT aoa
XLHI THE SINGULARNESS OF SINGLETONS . 207
XLIV Too LATE! 212
XLV HIDDEN INFERENCES , - * * * 217
XLVI HANDS WE LOVE TO Hou> 222
XLVII UNBLOCKING .,.., 227
XLVHI UNDERLEADING ******
XLIX FORCING THE BREAKS . . .
L SUIT SYMMETRY 242
LI How SLAMS ARE MADE - . * . 247
Lit THE SPADE CONVENTION . . . * 251
LIII PIVOTAL HANDS ,.,,.. 256
LIV HANDS REQUIRING UNUSUAL TREAT-
MENT , * . ^ * , . *
LV THERE Is OFTEN SAFETY IN VAtoR
LVI PARTNERSHIP 270
LVII PROPER FINESSING .,**** 275
LVIII FAITH AND FATE a8o
LIX THE DIVIDING LINE .-..*, 285
LX PERCEPTION ,,....,
CONTENTS
OHAPTX&
LXI ALIBIS 295
LXII NE PLUS ULTRA 300
LXI II RESTRAINT 304
LXIV THE CRITIC 309
LXV PITFALLS 314
LXVI MATCH PLAY 319
LXVII ESTABLISHING A SUIT 324
LXVI II GORGON S AND HYDRAS AND CHIMERAS
DIRE 329
LXIX I CHALLENGE 334
LXX IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS . . .338
LXXI WHEN THE SUITS ARE WEAK AND THE
PLAY Is STRONG 343
LXXII WHERE ANGELS PEAK TO TREAD . . 348
LXXni COAXING A MISPLAY 353
LXXIV GUESS-WORK 358
LXXV THE "SAVE THE GAME" FETISH . . 363
LXXVI WHEN ENTRIES ARE SCARCE ... 368
LXX VI I TWO-SUITERS 373
LXXVIII FORCING THE BREAKS 378
LXXIX PLAYING BAD HANDS 383
LXXX WHEN IT PAYS TO PASS 388
LXXXI THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL CARDS . 393
LXXXII TAKING A CHANCE 399
LXXXIH AGAINST PERFECT DEFENSE .... 404
LXXXIV LUCK-CONFOUNDED .408
NEW YORK THEATREGOERS PRIZE BRIDGE
CONTEST P&O&LEMS AND SOLUTIONS , 415
CHAPTER ONE
PASSING FANCY 1
WHAT is the "something" that makes Bridge so
appealing to the tired business man? Why does
a man rush to his Club to get in a few rubbers
before dinner? The probable reason is that the problems
of business and of bridge are very much alike, with the
important difference that an error in judgment is usually
a costly matter In business while at bridge it means com-
paratively nothing. Unless the player is "bawled out'* by
his partner, he quickly forgets his bad plays, while the
clever play that wins the rubber is fully as pleasing for
the moment as the most successful business deal. It is
often surprising how a brilliant professional man, will fall
down lamentably on a simple situation at the bridge table,
when ordinarily, logical reasoning, as applied to every-
day, prosaic affairs would not permit him to go amiss.
Recently, I saw a hand bid by one of the bright lights of
the legal profession, that worked out very badly* I at once
made up my mind that if I ever succumbed to a homicidal
impulse, when my partner rescues me from an original
Spade bid, notwithstanding his holding of four to the
Queen, that I would not engage that lawyer to defend me.
While a beginner could hardly be expected to bid the
hand correctly, it was a distant shock to find but one
out of eight Club players that were capable of applying
2 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the line of reasoning that would seem elementary in a
court of law.
* Q J 6
A K
+ A
+ AQJ 10 762
Admittedly a "tricky" hand in any position, it was es-
pecially so at Fourth Hand, when the first two players had
passed and Third Hand bid one No Trump, As we plain-
tively ask over the radio, "what should Fourth Hand do
and why?" The real bridge fan will at once take out hi*
pencil and write down his bid before reading further* The
prevailing bids of the semi-experts were, two, three, four
and five Clubs; two and three No Trumps; double! Of
course, the double devotees had no hope of the partner
leaving the double in and merely doubled as a strategic
move. No matter what bid the partner made, Clubs or
No Trumps would be bid on the next round*
Let us cross-examine the bidding and see if we can de-
termine what procedure should produce the greatest num-
ber of points* A No Trump bid by Third Hand after two
passes is never a perfunctory thing, A good chance for
game is looked for, even with the partners original pats.
That the Ace-King of Spades and the King of Clubs U
with the No Trump bidder Js practically established. So
game at Clubs is hopeless. At No Trump, the chances are
much better. If the opening lead should be a Heart, the
game can hardly be lout. The odds, however, are two to
one that either a Diamond or a Spade will be the opening
kad against a bid of two No Trumps* With tuch in open*
f, the way to game will be hard and tortuous ami. it a
PASSING FANCY!
3
matter of fact, the hand was played at two No Trumps
and defeated by three tricks, partly due to expert defense
by the adversaries, although a two-trick penalty was in
store for the Declarant after the first lead was made.
The deal:
* 9 7 S 4
V J6 4 3
+ 7653
* 5
83
to 7 5 2
19842
9 3
NORTH
SOUTH
A K ro 2
Q98
K Q 10
K8 4
QJ6
A K
A
On the Diamond opening, Declarant cbuld do nothing
but clear the Clubs* West overtook his partner's third lead
of Diamonds and South was forced to discard four per-
fectly good Clubs to keep the Spade suit guarded. After
the Diamonds were gathered in, South was stuck in with
the Heart and was not permitted to make a Spade trick.
If the deal had been played at Clubs, the Declarant
was entitled to caly three odd tricks. Whether West
opened a Spade and ruffed the third roufcd or South was
k c0mpetl4 10 lead away froa* that suit, proper defense
would hold him down to nine tricks, a matter of 18 points
t<7w*rds the game. &* my opifcioiv Swth's proper bi4 at
4 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
a love score over a Third Hand No Trump was what Is
usually the hardest thing to do "pass"! Without count-
ing on the partner for any support, the contract will un-
doubtedly be set for three tricks, which, with the 30 Aces
scores 180 points. Even if the game can be won at No
Trumps, little gain, if any, is made by bidding on this
deal. When all the high cards are obviously massed in
two hands, it is often well to let the other fellow do the
worrying.
At the International Championships played at Toronto,
a deal was played that was full of pit-falls mainly in
the bidding:
\
* A
* A xo
4 10 8 6 5 3 2
* KJ8 3
I had the deal in the South position and bid one No
Trump, West bid three Spades, North four Guba, Ea*t
four Hearts, On the second round I went to five Clubs,
West ventured to five Spades, North and Eatt paittd
and I doubled, defeating the contract two trick** An orig-
PASSING FANCY!
inal Trump lead would have set the Hand another trick.
When our team mates played the East-West cards, the
bidding started with one Diamond by South, four Spades
by West and silence reigned supreme. On this bidding,
the Ace of Diamonds was the proper opening and the
game was won by the Declarant without difficulty. I
won't comment on the original Diamond bid, except to
remark how curiously and often such topless bids work
out in exactly this way. The preemptive Spade bid of
four was far better than three. Such bids should be al-
ways for the limit. A bid of four would have been just
enough to shut out the Club bid at my table and, while
the Club opening would have defeated the contract for one
trick, a substantial gain would have been made over the
score actually registered. It will be noted that our score
on this deal was not the maximum that could be ma4e.
A bid of six Clubs could be made against any defense
and would probably have been doubled by the opponents.
The Diamond suit in the South Hand could have been
established and afforded discards for the losing Hearts.
East, without a card of reentry, could never regain the
lead to make a Heart trick.
CHAPTER TWO
DISCARD AND DISCORD
TO play Bridge with outstanding success, either
on the offense or defense, at least one phase of
the modern game must be thoroughly mastered
the discards! When the novice holds a suit consisting
of three worthless cards and is compelled to discard on
the Declarant's long suit, it appears to him that he might
as well throw away the cards that he knows cannot win
any tricks. He forgets that the partner's cards are equally
important with his own and that it is incumbent upon
the player to protect his partner in every possible way.
If the player held a Queen, three and two of a suit he
would know that it was poor play to discard from such ft
holding if he were a player of the knowing kind. When
the adversary's suit is solid, then the opposing diftcard*
are immaterial, but if a finesse must be taken, the way
to a winning finesse is made certain, unless thoughtful
consideration is given to the discards by both of the de~
fending players. I have seen players who considered them-
selves quite in the expert class, throw away their last
card in an unplayed suit and leave their unfortunate
partners wide open to any finesse on the fim play of that
suit It is obvious that four cards headed by the Jack,
will prove a stopper against the adversary's long suit
containing the three top honors, provided the partner
follows sufficiently long to prevent an adverse finesse.
6
DISCARD AND DISCORD 7
Very often, excellent strategy by one player is entirely
nullified by execrable discarding on the part of the
thoughtless partner. Playing a No Trump contract, a
finesse was taken in the Dummy and, although Fourth
Hand held the singly guarded King, the finesse was per-
mitted to hold. It was apparent that if the long suit in
Dummy could be brought in, the game and rubber was
lost. The Declarant put his hand in and cashed in four
cards in another suit before taking the second finesse, but
Second Hand promptly discarded his two "worthless"
cards and when the first suit was led, the hold-up was
exposed by Second Hand not following, even had the
cards not been carefully counted.
The situation:
On the opening of the two of Spades, showing only a
fouixrard suit, East could see that the game must be lost
a trick could be secured in either Hearts or Dia-
8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
monds. The Club hold-up on the second trick was well
planned and would have saved the game r had West fol-
lowed to the second-round of Clubs, as dummy had no
card of reentry to bring in balance of the Club suit. Had
Declarant run with his top cards after the first Club
finesse, he could see but eight tricks in sight, and the King
was apparently located in the West hand. That West's
discards were inexcusable is self-evident, because if the
Club suit was solid against him as he supposed, then the
Declarant would assuredly make the suit after he fin-
ished with the Diamonds and West would still have to
find five discards.
Curiously enough, it always works out that way; either
the suit is held by partner, or the player is forced to make
the discards that he should properly have made originally,
A hand where really brilliant discarding saved a game
that appeared to be hopelessly lost is the one following:
DISCARD AND DISCORD 9
West dealt and bid a No Trump, North and East
passed, South bid two Spades and West went to three
Clubs. After a pass by North, East called three No
Trumps which secured the contract without further bid-
ding. The Queen of Spades was opened, Dummy played
the eight and South overtook with the King and continued
with the Jack. When North did not follow, the trick was
taken by the Ace and the Club suit run off. To the De-
clarant the hand appears simply a guess -as to whether
South holds the Ace of Hearts or the King of Diamonds.
If North holds the Ace of Hearts, then ten tricks and
game can be won without resorting to the Diamond
finesse. If North holds the King of Diamonds, game can
still be easily made. Should neither card of reentry be
with South, he cannot get in to make the Spades, and
whatever Declarant does will be right. Of course, the
situation to South is not hard to read. West has bid a
No Trump with only two worthless Spades and either
holds the Diamonds solid or has a finesse against North
that will prove a winner. To prevent this finesse and in-
duce a Heart lead is the one hope to save the game. South,
therefore, discards on the third and fourth Club tricks two
of his perfectly good Spades. That a player will discard
from his set-up suit when he holds a sure reentry card
of an Ace, seems highly improbable and the Dedarant is
forced to believe that the Ace is not in the South hand.
On the fifth Club, South discards the two of Hearts, mak-
ing it appear that he is guarding a Diamond reentry and
the Heart lead being forthcoming, enables him to defeat
the contract for one trick. That North helped the part-
nership along by discarding the eight of Hearts is worthy
of note. Unless South has a Heart reentry, the game is
lost and Nprth knows that a false discard by him cannot
ro LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
effect his partner's play* The attention of the student
might be directed to West's original bid. The better bid
of a Club, would have resulted in East bidding the No
Trump and the natural play of the opponents, gives East
an easy game. North winning the first Spade trick with
the singleton Queen effectively shuts out the balance of
the suit.
CHAPTER THREE
FOUR-CARD SUIT-BIDS
THE outstanding innovation of up-to-date Auc-
tion Bridge is undoubtedly the four-card suit
bids. Of course, it is preferable to hold five cards
or more in suit before making a bid, but many game-going
hands are lost by the conservative bridge player who re-
fuses to stir up the animals unless he has five prongs to
his pitch-fork. Many years ago I strongly advocated an
opening bid on a four-card suit, headed by the Ace and
King, but aside from the desultory support of a few rank-
ing players, the idea was condemned as entirely too radi-
cal.
Lately, the subject has evoked considerable interest and
discussion. A number of the best-known authorities ad-
mit the soundness of an opening four-card suit bid, but
insist upon certain strength in the side-suits to compensate
for the deficiency in length.
Some time ago, in the Auction Bridge Magazine, my
esteemed confrere, Milton C. Work, gave a table showing
the side strength required, when the suit bid consists of
only four cards. With a suit headed by the Ace and King,
Work believes at least an Ace or King-Queen should be
held on the side.
He quotes from a very able article by Commander
Winfield Liggett, Jr., as follows:
u LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
"The fact must be taken in consideration that some of our lead-
ing authorities, among whom X will mention both Lenz and White-
head, tend towards lighter requirements. , . . On the whole, how-
ever, the table given by Mr. Work should not be shaded to any
great extent, certainly not by more than half a trick, if game is
the chief consideration."
Liggett hits the nail full on the head in his closing sen-
tence "If game is the chief consideration."
As a matter of fact, game is the last consideration that
should influence the four-card suit bidder,
I am frank to admit, that if a player can bid only
because of a minimum four-card suit bid from the
partner, the game will be won on that hand very rarely
indeed.
The four-card suit bids offer three major advantages:
First: A directive lead.
Second: A safe double.
Third: A shut out of an opposing No Trump.
Taking up these points one by one:
If the dealer passes a four-card suit headed by
the Ace-King and Second Hand has a thoroughly sound
bid, how often will the leader have a good opening
lead?
If the leader must guess between two or three opening!,
and the result of the game hinges on one trick, what are
the chances of saving the game?
After having passed, !$ it not too dangerous to direct
a lead, with a bid of two?
I have seen this last thing done many time* by players
who would not think of making opening bid* on four
card suits and yet, when the rubber was in jeopardy, they
did not hesitate to stick in a belated bid that was ict for
hundreds of points*
FOUR-CARD SUIT-BIDS
J52
Q 10 8
K 7 3
QJ97
Holding the South hand, I dealt and bid a heart, which
overcalled with two Spades: "One" would have been
sufficient to secure the contract.
After three rounds of Hearts, it looked very much like
dosing up shop, but the great strength in Dummy left no
alternative but a Heart continuation. The Declarant could
not now prevent the Jack of Spades from making a trick
and had to be content with the three odd, one short of
game.
If the Heart had not been bid, the logical Club' opening .
would have permitted Declarant to gather in twelve tricks,
Small Slam, 80 honors, game, rubber, match, caddy and
cigars.
Score one for the system !
On the second point, "a safe double," it must be re-
membered that the essential requirements, two sure
tricks for a bid, are not shaded in any way. If anything,
14 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
their "sureness" are enhanced by reason of the shortness.
A four-card suit is less likely to be ruffed than one of
greater length,
If the opponents overbid their hands, the partner can
double safely, when such a course would have been im-
possible if the original bidder had passed, or made a sec-
ondary bid.
4 4
* Q643
* Q87
* *o 7 5 4 3
This hand is taken from a duplicate match, South hav-
ing the deal and bidding a Club at a number of tablet
and passing at others. West, in most cases, bid three
Spades and secured the contract, which was set two
tricks* The only difference was, where South bid the
Clubs, North doubled the contract and obtained the dou-
ble penalty* With a pass by South, a double by North
would be unwarranted, as three Spade* would score only
27 points, whereas the doubled contract if made,
score 129 points. While the chances to defeat the bid
FOUR-CARD SUIT^BIDS
about even, {notwithstanding a pass from partner, it
is very poor judgment to gamble over eight to one, on
an even chance,
On the third count, "shutting out an opposing No
Trump," we all are aware how often a hand will be able
to take in nine tricks, whether played at a suit make or
at No Trumps. Three odd, however, mean nothing at a
suit make, unless the score is advanced, while at No
Trumps it means the game. With four cards to the Ace-
King in an opposing hand, the chances are not very good
that a possible No Trump call will hold two stops in that
suit. The percentage against even one "stopper" would
be more than two to one.
* AJ43
* Q8
* A K 9 *
* A K 4
4 Q 8
* J7S
* Q 10 8 6
* Q 10 8 a
4 io 6
V A K to 3
+ 754
* 39? 5
Holding thU hand, South bid a Heart and West doubled
informatively, hoping; for * Spade bid from partaer- The
hand wa* played at Diamonds and four odd was the max-
imum SCOfC.
16 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
If played at No Trumps, the game was a certainty
against any defense. That West should bid No Trumps,
notwithstanding the lack of a Heart stopper, is a specious
argument. While it would work out well in this case, it
might easily be a game-loser in the next dozen instances.
In my opinion, the four-card suit bid is a sound con-
vention, when made first or second hand, and when play-
ing with a partner who understands the system in play.
Under such conditions, tricks in side suits are not a
necessity.
CHAPTER FOUR
PLAYS THAT WIN GAMES
THE egg comes from the chicken; the chicken
comes from the egg. Which came first? This wise
drollery was probably one of the first ten jokes
in existence. Modernized a bit to apply to Bridge, it goes
like this: You can't play without proper bidding; unless
you play correctly, it is useless to bid. Which is most im-
portant? Only two guesses permitted!
The player who can play every hand for the maximum
number of tricks is undoubtedly in a better position to
overbid, than the one who loses a trick every so often. At
Duplicate Auction, poor bidding and bad play show up
an unsound player to such an extent, that many will not
play the duplicate form of game at all. They much prefer
straight Bridge where their heavy losses can be charged
to hard luck and the other fellows holding all the good
cards,
Playing in a fifteen table duplicate game, I selected
four pairs, that appeared to have the "class," to finish well
up in the lead. After the game, the difference between the
highest and lowest score was 3 160 points. The difference,
however, between the five leaders was only 120 points and
three of the four designated pairs were among the elect.
After nearly four hours of play, with all the variations of
bidding; aad playing, it seemed almost uncanny that the
final result could be so dose.
18 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
One of the deals that showed a difference of 340 jv-im*
brought out a rather laughable situation, A playor who
had been set for a hundred points felt a bit aggrieved at
my good luck in making the game on the same hand, "If &
a good bet/' he grouched, "that you didn't get the ,*amo
bidding on the hand that I did. If you had, y'u wnuki
not have found it so easy to make the game/*
There was something in what he .said, KO I offer the
hand for the delectation of all lucky player*:
* K Q J8
* K 4
* 7 5 4*
* J94
East was the dealer and, nain*T Mr, Hani! tack Swh
started with a Diamond* South bid ,1 Hmt, \V**t a S
and North went Nw Trump. Kastt jMU^n}, Sms*h tid
Hearts, West three Diamonds which Kwih 4^u
South, with his fn*ak di^ribtattpn^ went to three
and thin bid West doubled. Then? wai m* further
and the King of Spade* WAS opened and won by the
PLAYS THAT WIN GAMES 19
The Queen of Hearts was finessed to the King and after
making one Spade trick West led a Diamond, which East
took with the King and returned the last Spade. The De-
clarant lost a Club, Diamond, Spade and two Hearts.
White the Diamond contract of the opponents would have
been defeated, South's long line of Hearts justified his
return to that suit*
When the deal came to my table, I held the South
hand. The exiguous holding of the enemy did not prevent
them from pushing us up to four Hearts. My partner did
not, double the bid of three Diamonds, but East, never-
theless, switched back to three Spades. I ventured to four
Hearts and West doubled, which closed the bidding. To
this point I did not appear to have much the better of the
battle*
The opponents* play seemed to be quite normal The
King of Spades was taken with the Ace and the nine of
Hearts was finessed instead of the Queen, This play
seems marked as West's double locates the King of Hearts
in hi hand, while the position of the Jack is in doubt
Weat won with the King, made a trick in Spades and then
led the Diamond* East won with the King and returned
the Spade* It will be noted that every play was precisely
the name a$ at the other table, except the deep trump
finesse* which of course saves one trick. At first glance it
doe* not seem that the balance of the tricks can be made,
but cartful play enables South to force a double squeeze
position, After ruffing the Spade, all the trumps arc
played out. When South leads the last trump he holds
three Clubs remaining in his hand* The Dummy holds two
Clubs, i Diamond and a Spade. West holds three Cuba
and one Spade, but h compelled to discard a Club to
prevent the Spade making in dummy. Dummy now gives
20 LENZ ON BRIDGE; VOLUME TWO
up the Spade and East must unguard his Clubs or pive
up the Ace of Diamonds. Either play is fatal and the
doubled contract of ten tricks is made against good de-
fense, notwithstanding the failure of the first pair tu make
their contract of nine tricks.
Another deal that appeared to go very well, showed ;t
loss of over 200 points:
4 8 6
10 4
4742
* Q J 10 7 5 a
* io 7 S 3
V 8 6 *
+ 8653
WORTH
SOUTH
KJ 4
-KQ 5 3
K Q 10
^ A J97
* A J 9
* A 8 4
South, a* dealer, started off with two No Trump*
secured the contract without competition. This was tts
amc hard -hick player of the pnvktm draJ, Thr Spmlis
was npentfd atiJ thr* Kiftf* went to th* Acr . Df<rhrjini W
the Ace anct low C-luh but Ki5t rrfmril i> win the uuk^
effectually shutting out the *uii* S^wth, win 5? jBr* 1 **^! JmJ>f
ment, at once abandoned fhc Clubn and ]rd ihe tet ^f
Heftftft. ThU line of play pcrmitfed him ui nuke hi* con-
tract erf eijtht trir k% in^iead of bring uet on the h*w!
At my table I bid one N* Trump, my partner
PLAYS THAT WIN GAMES 21
and East doubled informatively- I redoubled, West bid
two Spades, North three Clubs, East passed and I went
to three No Trumps. This bid was passed to East, who
doubled, this time for business. The Spade opening was
the same as at the other table, but instead of leading the
Ace of Clubs, I started with a low one. Whether or not
Kast wins the trick is immaterial If the King goes up, the
hand plays itself. If East holds off, the Queen is returned
and the finesse taken. Even eliminating the double, when
Kasi follows to the second round of Clubs, West is marked
out* With the King and low of the suit, West would have
pnne up un the first round* If the Queen holds the second
round of Clubs, then the switch to the Hearts is made
and three tricks each in Hearts and Clubs, two in Spades
and one in Dtaarnds lands the game against any kind of
defensive pluy*
CHAPTER FIVE
THE FICKLK GODDESS
ONE reason why Auction Bridge 1m such it ho!J
upon the public is because ,t player nuy h>c
rubber after rubber and still retain his *>ell*
respect, while his winning sessions generate in him a #kw
of righteous self-approbation.
From time immemorial, a losing card-player w?raevl ?
fed in duty bound to blame his ill-luck* Why huuM hr
lose his self-esteem when he never held any got.*! MrJ,-i;
when his partners always threw him down; irin*n thr
cards with fiendish ingenuity, persisted in lyinj? in ihr
wrong position? True, he occaim Anally hni a nick by taJ
play, but who could be expected to play perfectly
everything went against him?
It is curious how different the aspect is M the wmtu
)f course, a little luck mttjt be admitted, "bin aiter u
artncr dear, we played the carJs pretty we!!,**
The percentage of Bridge Players who arff witling
'mil that the factor of hick U alwiiii cvv, is very
rsonally, I thwmghly believe (h;a in ?hr li
*1| ick" will just about averajisc ii>Hf anJ ilw pl-
Mi i** what thry cats when in a bud Jump 4J
lug k when they jei the (neak, will prn*t u* In?
v;ir| turn at the ettd of a given period, always prA
the^'r nundard r>f skill i* <|titf! to that d the
of Ut e company they usually play with.
THE FICKLE GODDESS
Even at Duplicate Auction, I have heard players com-
plaining bitterly at the fortunate opportunities that fall
to the favorites of the fickle Goddess, while they "never
get a chance/*
Sometimes indeed, a player may drowse off and entirely
miss the knock of opportunity, as happened recently in a
match I played in.
Here is the hand:
* K 64
K J to 4 a
+ 84
* KQJ
A J98?
7 5
98543
NORTH
SOUTH
Q 10 5
QS3
KQ 5
A 10 7
* 3
* A 9 6
4 A J 10 9763
* 6 2
The deal was with East, who bid a No Trump, which
! passed, Second Hand.
West went to two Spade*, North and East passed and
I now bid three Diamonds. West called three Spades and
North and East again paused. It looked as though the
game wa* in jeopardy so I declared four Diamonds, which
wa$ p&tifted to Kant, who bid (our Spades, I had reached
my limit, but my partner came to life and doubled. This
closed the bidding and the contract was defeated for two
24 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
hundred points, less 40 honors. The King of Clubs was
opened and taken with the Ace. Then the King of Dia-
monds was led and covered with the Ace. West trumprJ
it but could not get back into East's hand to take a necked
Heart discard on the Queen of Diamonds, until we had
cashed in our winners. The opening of the Club instead of
the Diamond was proper. It is always belter to phy f^r
certainties than for probabilities. The Club opening oiild
not do any harm and the Diamond might and would
have lost a trick.
After the game was over there was considerable dis-
cussion over the bidding on this board. At nu*M table* ike
bidding was identical until the "four-Diamcmd hid"
reached East, In a number of oases the Diamond* U-<MC
doubled by East* One South player was greatly
that he had the "bad luck*' to play the hand
players/* who elected to double him instead erf
with the Spades.
"Here I bid a hand exactly as you did/ 1 he j?rwm<W
"and get Hung for a hundred point*, while y*>u *<*! \h<*.
other fellow for two hundred. If that isn't blind Su<k I
miss my gum/*
Looking over the Kant hand carefully, it ficcrnis a *lw*
point whether, after the partner ha& bid ami #<w m
with hi* bid, 3 double of four Diflmnndb w^ull n^$ hr a
better chance than supporting ihc Spader. With A f
able dihtribution, the ^;nne at Spadr may br
e*iily md In that event the raise will dwibUr^ ii*
profitable than the double. Hwwrvcr, thr Sj^dr
cannot be made an the earth happen t* !ie *n if,
that there i ^rne truth in the cotnentson Uut in
gunce u luclt n has hown an unkind
some players and in favor of other*,
THE FICKLE GODDESS
I use "appears" advisedly, because it is the other way
around! The players who had their four Diamonds
doubled were beshowered with luck, as proper play will
permit them to make their contract against any defense
and score 261 points instead of 160 that is netted by the
Spade double. The only play in the hand is the finesse of
the eight of Diamonds if East does not put up an honor
and if he does, the second honor is forced out and the
small trumps picked up. The original No Trump bid and
the final double should mark the holding of East's hand
without cl Acuity.
Again "bad luck" and "bad play" are synonymous!
Not for one moment do I contend that there is no such
thing as luck, but I do say that at least half the time
*'luck" is blamed for indifferent play.
A* an example of what I consider real, unadulterated
bad luck, I offer the following hand:
* Q 7 3
K 10 9
4 84
* A 8 7 6 3
4 A J 6
* 7 4
t K Q J 10 6 5 3
* 4
NORTH
SOUTH
* K 8 5 43
86532
,*. . .
# K 5
* jo 9
* AQ J
+ A 9 7 *
* J 10 9
26 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South bid one No Trump and there was no further bid-
ding. The King of Diamonds was opened and East dis-
carded the two of Clubs. South won with the Ace and
could have taken in five tricks before relinquishing the
lead. If, however, the King of Clubs is in the West hand,
nine tricks and the game can be made. Under such con-
ditions hardly one player in ten would refuse to take the
finesse, but in this case the King was with East and the
adversaries gathered in the balance of the tricks the
Declarant taking but one trick and having a Small Slam
scored against him,
If South had made his three Hearts before taking the
Club finesse and found the King right, he still could not
have made the game as the long Club in dummy would
have been blocked.
However, two Heart tricks might have been taken, be-
fore burning all bridges, but in times of stress what is two
tricks among friends ! When the location of only one card
makes a difference of eight tricks in a hand, then we can
only bow to the inevitable and trust for a more kindly
fate.
CHAPTER SIX
WHY ORIGINAL BIDS SHOULD HAVE QUICK
TRICKS
PROBABLY the most difficult thing for the average
Auction Player to understand is why he must not
open the bidding with a long string of cards headed
^by a King, when lacking other top-card strength. Every
day they see admittedly good players making original bids
on four-card Ace-King suits and a generally worthless
hand outside. "Surely/' they reason, "a hand should be
good for more tricks with a seven-card suit headed by the
King-jack, than with only a four-card suit to the Ace-
King."
Undoubtedly their contention is quite true, but they lose
sight of the fact that there are wide open spaces, between
making a bid and obtaining the final contract. Long ex-
perience has proven that it is much more valuable in-
formation for the partner to know that the bidder has two
quick tricks and at least four cards in suit, than that he
has a preference for a certain suit other things being
indefinite*
When the greatest possibilities for gain lie in doubling
the opposing bid, of what avail is it to the player to find
his partner with a long, weak suit that cannot possibly be
brought in and no quick tricks at all in support of a
double? As a matter of comparison:
* K J 9 6 5 43
* A K Q 2
27
28 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
With the first holding, a player has not a sound original
bid, while he has with the second, even although the bal-
ance of his hand is trickless.
It would be very different if there was any assurance
that the first bid would secure the contract, instead of
merely starting "things," because the trick taking value of
the first combination as trumps, is infinitely greater than
the second. That is the main reason why many excellent
Whist players are not so successful at Auction they can-
not resist the temptation of a long trump suit. A fine ex-
ample of the bad predicament a player can get into by
making such bids, is illustrated by the following hand,
which was played at the weekly duplicate game of the
Raymond Club in New York.
V K Q 10 8 5 3
+ A 10 7 2
* K Q
* 8
V A J 962
+ 8
+ J 10 8 6 3 2
* K J 9 6 5 4 3
V 4
+ 6
* 9 7 5 4
South was the dealer, and where the bidding was opened
with a Spade bid, trouble galore was in store for that
player West bid two Diamond* and North went to two
BIDS SHOULD HAVE QUICK THICKS 29
Hearts. East passed and South, with only one Heart, was
compelled to bid two Spades. West now called three Dia-
monds and North tried three Hearts, which East doubled.
Having been twice rescued by his partner, South held his
peace, but West went on to four Diamonds, which North
doubled. After East and South had passed, West "re-
doubled," and now the full force of South's iniquitous bid
was brought home to him* With Diamonds as trumps, he
held no tricks to assist his partner in defeating the re-
doubled contract, notwithstanding his original bid. With
faint hope that he might escape a double he bid four
Spades. West, of course, doubled, and defeated the con-
tract 400 points. At Hearts the contract would have fared
as badly and at Diamonds the opponents would have
made their bid of four, losing only two trumps and one
Spade trick.
With a Spade opening West should win the trick and
at once return a losing Spade, If North trumps with the
ten, shutting out Dummy's eight and leads a trump, he
will obtain the same result as if he permits Dummy to take
the ruff. Should North open with the King of Hearts, the
Declarant will win in Dummy with the Ace and finesse
the Spade. A low Spade will now bring about the same
situation as an original Spade opening.
With correct bidding, the chance of getting in such
difficulties is very much diminished, South 1 passing, West
would bid a Diamond, North a Heart and South a Spade.
Both North and South are justified in at least one rebid
and possibly two, but when West gets to four Diamonds,
North should not double, as his partner, having passed
originally, disclaims two quick tricks. While it seems that
West's contract may be defeated, it is not worth while to
double and jeopardize the game for an added fifty points.
30 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Undoubled, the Declarant will make exactly ten tricks,
a mere matter of 28 points !
When the partner's original bid can produce two quick
tricks, as advertised, then it is almost a foregone con-
clusion that a sound double will succeed in defeating the
enemy. Occasionally, a freak distribution will upset all
calculations, but it is accepting the average possibilities
that makes the successful player.
* to 9 8 6 5 3
A J 8 6
464
* 6
* A K Q 2
* 43
+ 10 8 7 5 3
#43
In this deal it is curious how closely North's distri-
bution and top-card strength parallels the previous hand.
South properly started with a Spade bid, was overcalled
by West with three Clubs, and North bid three Hearts*
West ventured to four Clubs, North doubled and defeated
the contract for three hundred points. On the Spade open-
ing South played the three high Spades and West trumped
the third round with a Club honor. North refused to over-
ruff, but discarded a Heart. This play makes ait tra
BIDS SHOULD HAVE QUICK TRICKS 31
trick for North, although expert play by West might
have saved it. The King of Clubs is won by the Ace and
the King of Hearts is taken in the dummy. The Diamond
finesse is lost to the King and North now leads the nine
of Clubs. West draws one round of trumps and forces
North's top trump with the Diamond. The Declarant is
ruffed with the Queen of Hearts and loses the nine of
Diamonds at the end. If North had been permitted to hold
the trick when he led the King of Hearts 'he would have
been in distress. His best play would have been the nine
of Clubs. The Declarant would have taken two rounds and
stuck him back in the lead with his last trump. Now, if
North leads any card but the King of Diamonds West
must take the balance of the tricks.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE OPTIMIST
AGAIN and again this question is hurled at the
experts "Does not the bidding mean everything
at Bridge?" And usually the question is answered
in the affirmative. Undoubtedly this is true with beginners
because, without a sound foundation to start on, the
player can hardly hope to arrive anywhere. When, how-
ever, the novice has passed through the elementary stage
and considers himself at least an average player, the abil-
ity to play the cards for the greatest number of tricks is
essentially the basis of further progress.
To bid a hand correctly for the maximum number of
tricks that can be made by perfect play is assuredly a fine
and wonderful thing, but of what avail is it when the ex-
cellent bidder is quite unable to produce the perfect play?
The real good fun and fascination of the game comes in
playing a border-line hand to the best advantage and
scoring a glorious victory on a deal that apparently is
doomed to hopeless defeat. In most sessions of play some
hands crop up that are properly bid, and could be easily
made on the normal distribution of the opposing cards.
The first inkling that the player has of trouble to come,
is when his contract is doubled and the nature of his hand
should warn him that the trump strength is massed against
him. To become panic-stricken and concede defeat i;
hardly the proper spirit. The partner can only give hi;*
moral support, but he has a right to expect his
to put up as valiant a battle as he is capable of*
32
THE OPTIMIST
33,
It is surprising how often a hand can be won by taking
full advantage of the information given by the double,
even when the defense is of high order. Possibly the most
cheerful player in the world, -when adversity strikes him, is
Major C. L. Patton, the genial President of the Knicker-
bocker Whist Club. The Major, always hoping for the
best, gets out on a limb occasionally and is doubled by
the enemy. His partner puts down a hand that would chill
the soul of a Hero. Two little trumps, a Queen and a
couple of Jacks and the Major fairly glows. "Fine, Part-
ner, fine," he coos. "Your cards fit in wonderfully." The
opponents somehow feel they have made a mistake in
doubling and in their anxiety to defeat the hand, they are
glad to take a penalty of one trick, when they might have
had four. On the following hand the Major held the South
cards and required rather more than a bold front to win
the game:
A 6
A J 10 8 6
49763
* 9 5 2
* K Q 9 3 ^
* 4
4 K Q J 10
* J 10 6
34 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South had the deal and bid a Spade. West passed and
North called two Hearts. East passed and South now bid
three Clubs. After West passed, North went back to
Spades, which East doubled and all hands passed. To
make three-odd tricks in Spades, with the unusual distri-
bution against him, needed exceptional play, but the
Major was quite equal to the occasion. The logical Dia-
mond opening was made and taken by the Ace, This was
the best defensive opening in the hand as it prevented
the Declarant from discarding his losing Diamond on a
good Heart, while the adversaries five-card trump hand
was being forced. If the hand had not been doubled, the
best continuation would have been to take two rounds of
trumps. Even with four trumps in one of the opposing
hands, the contract would have been safe, while an even
split would have landed the game. With the double by
East, there is a strong probability of five trumps being
in that hand, in which case a trump lead will lose three
Spades, one Diamond and a Heart, defeating the con-
tract by a trick. There is, also, the possibility that the
Club suit will not break, in which case the loss will be
considerably greater. If the Clubs are evenly divided,
which affords the only chance for game, that suit should
be gone after at once. On the third round of Clubs,
dummy discards a Diamond, and on the fourth round,
notwithstanding that West trumps with his singleton
trump, the last Diamond in dummy is shed. Now, if West
had had a trump to lead, then East could have had but
four and the game would be won without further trouble*
Not having another trump, West is forced to lead the Ace
of Hearts, following with a low one. It h not necessary
to play one of the equals, as South cannot know that East
is void and must go up with an honor anyway. The Heart
THE OPTIMIST
35
is trumped by East and over-trumped by South, and the
Diamond ruff taken in dummy. East is again put under
the hammer with the King of Hearts and South leads the
last Club which he trumps with the Jack of Spades.
Whether East over-trumps or not is immaterial, the De-
clarant can lose but three trump tricks and one Heart,
fulfilling his doubled contract by virtue of his skilful play.
A hand where the enemy elected to double a contract of
two Spades brought out some pretty play, although the
defense could hardly be called air-tight.
AJ97
32
10 8 7 5 4 2
A J 10
K6 5
* A K 9 8 6
* KJ 9
NORTH
SOUTH
*
AK 7 S
Q432
Q J 104
Q
4 098642
10 8
* 75
* A 6 3
South dealt and passed, West bid a No Trump and
South's secondary Spade bid was doubled by East. While
double-dummy defense can defeat the contract for 300
points, the Declarant, by taking advantage of a slip or
two, succeeded in making his contract. The King of Dia-
monds was opened, and fearing a ruff with the singleton
trump in dummy, West led the Jack of Spades. East won
36 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
with the King, returned the Diamonds and South ruffed
the third round. Now, the eight of Hearts was finessed
to the Queen and another Diamond ruff put Declarant in
to lead the Queen of Spades. If the ten of Spades is with
East, it makes little difference what Spade is led, but if the
ten is alone with West, there is a good chance for the
game. East won with the Ace and, having no more Dia-
monds, led the Queen of Clubs. South won with the Ace,
pulled down the two remaining trumps and the second
Heart finesse enabled him to discard the two losing Clubs.
Aside from the lead of the Queen of Spades a play which
might win, but could not lose the lead of the eight of
Hearts was the outstanding play. If the ten were led, West
might be tempted to cover, which would ruin the hand
irrevocably. If, at the second trick, East had permitted the
Jack to "ride," the result would have been very different.
A Diamond bid by West, instead of the No Trump, would
have made the way easy. The game at Diamonds could
hardly be lost, and if East took out with a No Trump, a
Spade opening made the hand good for eleven tricks. If
East bid the Spade, then West could safely go to his No
Trump.
CHAPTER EIGHT
WHEN INFORMATORY DOUBLES SHOULD BE
LEFT IN
UNLESS the flagrant abuse of the informatory
double is curtailed before long, it is possible that
this useful device may be relegated to the scrap
bag, together with the archaic conventions of the long ago.
It seems that most players, when they are puzzled what
to do after an opponent has made a bid that is particu-
larly ill-adapted to their hand, double informatorily, to
see what will happen. It is just as likely that the Jugger-
naut thus started will crush the instigator under a five
hundred point penalty, as that it will cause any damage
to the adversary. A double that is used for information,
should fulfill its purpose by giving information of value.
That the hand can support a bid made by the partner is
not enough; quick tricks Aces and Kings is the impor-
tant thing and negative information is only important to
the enemy* When the partner holds high-card values, it
usually does not require a double to goad him into making
a bid.
Possibly, the least understood feature of the informa-
tory double is the proper action of the partner of the
doubler. The general supposition of the average player
is, that a bid of some suit must be made. The partner
37
38 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
having commanded, they must obey! I wonder if it
would be considered homicide to ask such a person to leap
off from a tall building?
The advisability of leaving in the partner's informatory
double should always be considered when the doublets
partner holds a good hand! Only when holding a poor
hand should a bid always be made ! The poorer the hand
the surer the bid! With an exceptionally bad hand, the
partner will probably be correspondingly strong, but in
such a position the loss is always minimized by inserting
a bid. When large losses are taken, it is usually proven
that the fault is caused by an unsound double* When,
however, the pleasant situation comes up of holding two
strong hands against the opponent, what can be better
than permitting the player to struggle along at a hun-
dred points penalty for every trick that the contract is
set? This is especially true when the enemy No Trump bid
is doubled and the partner of the doublcr has better than
an average hand, fairly distributed. In such a position, two
quick tricks, divided in three suits, should be quite suffi-
cient to allow the double to remain in. The unspeakable
atrocity of bidding "two No Trumps 7 ' when confronted
with a situation of this kind is harrowing. Why players
desire to play from a disadvantageous position at odds of
ten to one is very difficult to understand, and yet in-
numerable snappy players will gaily bid two No Trumps
on their partner's double, when a simple pass will net
them hundreds of points. The hand following is not of an
unusual type and the player who sat North would be con-
sidered at least an average player:
INFORMATORY DOUBLES LEFT IN 39
4 A 97
A 73
+ J52
* K 7 53
* 6 2
NORTH
* J 10 3
y K 8
* K 10 9
* A Q J 8 4
4 K Q 6
V Q J 10 6
* AQ8 7
* 10 9
East dealt and bid a No Trump. I sat South and
doubled. West passed and North, without a tremor, bid
two No Trumps. The Queen of Clubs was the opening lead
and after that, correct play by the Declarant should score
eight tricks a matter of twenty points. As the hand was
played, the error of taking two rounds of Diamonds be-
fore the Hearts were set, necessitated the Heart finesse
to try for the game, with the sad result that the contract
was defeated by one trick. The bidding almost positively
marks East with the King of Hearts and, if this card is
gotten out of the way at once, the contract must be made.
However, the important thing for the bridge student to
consider is what would have occurred if North had passed
the double, notwithstanding that it was of the informatory
variety. The first consideration should be that East is in
between two powerful hands and loses a hundred points
for each trick he is set. That North, by bidding, obligates
4 Q LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the taking of eight tricks and can score but ten points
per by-trick. That playing the hand against East, the
opening attack is with South and such strategic position
is worth at least an extra trick. That North, in addition to
holding two and a half quick tricks, can give excellent
support to any opening lead that the partner can make.
Playing the hand at one No Trump doubled East will
be set 400 points and if he makes the mistake of dis-
carding one Diamond, instead of two of his perfectly good
set-up Clubs, the "strafe" will be 500. The opening lead
of the Queen of Hearts should be allowed to ride to the
King, as, even if the King is not guarded, the nine of
Hearts in dummy will stop the suit. East will play two
rounds of Clubs and, if he does not discard the Clubs
on the two rounds of Hearts, he will be compelled to do
so on the Spades. Should East play perfectly and hold for
his last four cards, three Diamonds and one Club, North's
play would be to put him in with the Club and force him
to lead the Diamonds. This line of play would set the
hand 400 points.
* Q J 6
* Q 8 7
+ A K/3
* 5 4 *
7 4 3
J 5 4
J 6 z
A 9 8 7
A 9 2
10 6 3
985
K J 10
INFORMATORY DOUBLES LEFT IN 41
It is not strange that, when a player bids on the mini-
mum values, with but four-card suits, the play of the
hands demand perfect treatment to land the game.
West was the dealer and passed. North bid a Diamond,
East passed and South secured the contract for one No
Trump. The seven of Clubs was opened, won by the King
and the Jack returned. It appears hopeless to cover with
the Queen, as the play cannot make a card good for either
the Declarant or his dummy, but there is just one chance
to save the game and that is by covering. East is known to
hold exactly three Clubs, and if the missing card is the
ten, West will be blocked from making the long card in his
suit. The Ace of Spades is probably not with West, as he
passed originally, although he is known to hold the Ace
of Clubs. The reason East must hold three Clubs is that
the seven was led, showing four cards higher not in the
leader's hand. Only three have appeared, hence, East
must hold the fourth.
CHAPTER NINE
SCINTILLATING PLAY
POSSIBLY sixty percent of the deals at Bridge are
merely "duds." Unless the players are consider-
ably below the average standard of play the out-
come of such hands should not be subject to a great
deal of variation. With fair intelligence in bidding and a
simple working knowledge of natural finessing, there is
little excuse for any player to mess up hands of this
kind. It is on the forty percent minority hands that the
good player has an opportunity to show his skill. Careful
play in unblocking and keeping the lead in the proper
hand; elimination plays, forcing discards and taking full
advantage of inferences, all tend to win games for the
advanced player, that are lost to the tyro,
Not more than eight percent of the hands lend them-
selves to treatment of an extraordinary character. In
the course of a session of play, two or three hands may
appear where the Grand Coup, the Squeeze or some
simitar outri play must be employed to win a game that
could not otherwise be won. In the long run, it is throw-
ing these games from the losing to the winning ride of
the ledger that makes for outstanding success at Auction
Bridge*
Aside from the situations that occur sufficiently often
to be put under a special category, one of the most con-
sistent trick winners is the ability to assist the enemy into
4*
SCINTILLATING PLAY
43
making a wrong guess. I am frank to confess that,
had I been the Declarant on the following hand I would
have fallen into the self-same trap that he did:
* 7
V 10 9
* A Q J 8 6 4 2
* KJ 3
A Q J 10 9 4 3
A J 6
+ 5
* 8 4 2
NORTH
SOUTH
*8652
* 8 7 S 4 3
4 97
* A Q
A A K
V K Q 3
4 K 103
* 10 9 7 6 5
North dealt and bid a Diamond, East passed and
South's No Trump landed the contract. West, having
the lead with a good suit to open and a sure card of re-
entry, would have shown bad judgment to bid his
Spades.
North, holding a seven-card suit, might have rebid the
Diamonds on the supposition that if his partner could
not bid two No Trumps, the hand had better be played at
Diamonds, but in any event, South would have gone on
with the No Trump, after his partner had started an
original bid. North, as compensation for the missing
King of Diamonds must hold the Ace of Hearts or a
high honor in Clubs.
The opening lead of the Queen of Spades was won by
44 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the Ace. The false-card in this position is poor play.
Both adversaries should know that South holds the
King. West cannot hold it because the Queen is never
led from the King-Queen. East, holding the King should
play it on his partner's Queen at No Trumps. If the
Declarant had won with the King instead of the Ace,
East might mark the Ace with his partner, as the Queen
is often the proper lead from an Ace, Queen, Jack com-
bination. False-carding often defeats its purpose, when
it is not done with careful fore-thought.
It is at once apparent that the game is in sight with the
seven set-up Diamonds and two Spade tricks. There is no
hurry, however, in running for the game, while South
still has the Spades stopped. If the Queen of Clubs is
with West and not over twice guarded, a Small Slam may
be garnered before the opponents awake to their danger.
With all suits well stopped, the best play seems to be the
Club finesse. If the finesse loses and the Spades are
cleared, then the Declarant must run for his game. On
the lead of the ten of Clubs, Dummy played the three and
East won with the Ace! That the Declarant is trying
for a slam is obvious to East* Unless South held the
King of Diamonds himself, he would undoubtedly have
played for that suit at once, instead of fooling with a
suit in his hand, that lacked the four top honors. That
South holds the King of Spades is patent and if he can
be inveigled into continuing the Club play, after the
last stopper in Spades is taken out of his hand, the
game may yet be saved. Winning the Club trick with the
Queen, forces the play into conventional lines, so East
puts up the Ace and leads a Spade. Although the Spade
suit is now cleared, the Declarant must mark the Queen
of Clubs with West and has every reason to believe that
SCINTILLATING PLAY
45
his play for a Small Slam will be successful. On the Club
continuation, West played the eight and it appeared that
the Queen would drop on the third round, if the Jack
were played to the apparently proven finesse. It will be
noted that when East's subtle coup proved successful,
it not only saved the game, but actually defeated the
contract for one trick.
Probably the most trying situation at Bridge comes
when the opponent has made a preemptive bid and snap
judgment must be taken whether to fight or surrender.
Much depends upon the ability of the player to escape
with a minimum loss, when the partner has little as-
sistance to offer and the trump strength is massed against
him in the hand. of one adversary.
* 8 5 2
* 9 5 4
> 10 5
* J 7 6 S *>
* Q J 7 6 4
V 10 7 6
+ 643
* KQ
NORTH
SOUTH
V A K Q J 8 3
+ J 9 8
* A 9 4
* A K 10 9 3
V
* AKQ72
* 10 8 3
On this hand East had the deal and bid three Hearts.
Proper preemption calls for two tricks more than the
hand is worth so East's initial error started the trouble.
46 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Whether South would have ventured to bid over four
Hearts is problematical, but his three Spade bid was
doubled by West with considerable gusto. The chance for
game at doubled Spades, decided South against showing
the Diamonds. If the second suit had been bid, the enemy
would have gone on with the Hearts and have won the
game with a big honor count.
West opened the ten of Hearts which was ruffed by the
Declarant and the Diamond suit was started. That the
double was made on trump strength is obvious and while
the game seems hopeless, there is always the chance for
the enemy to go wrong if given the opportunity! On
the third round of Diamonds, dummy discarded a Heart
and on the fourth round, West trumped in with the
Jack, knowing from the bidding that his partner could
not have a trump. When dummy discarded his last
Heart, West cashed in the two Clubs and then being
well out of good leads, he played a Heart which dummy
ruffed and South shed his last Club. Now a low trump
puts Declarant in to lead the fifth Diamond and it takes
the Queen of Spades to shut out the eight in dummy!
Keen defense by East in overtaking the second Club and
ruffing his partner, or by West in leading a trump in-
stead of the second round of Hearts, would have saved
the game, but perfect play is often, conspicuous by its
absence.
CHAPTER TEN
A LEADING QUESTION
IT is becoming more and more of an established
fact among the better players, that saving the game
on the close hands is dependent upon the opening
lead. If it were possible for a player to pick the best
opening lead for the combined hands on every deal, it
would not be long before that player was considered
invincible. The four-card minimum suit bids are pri-
marily important, because they indicate to the partner,
a suit that may be led without disadvantage.
In view of this, it is curious what a wide divergence of
opinion exists as to the proper card to lead in response
to the partner's bid. Playing against a No Trump con-
tract, the leads have been standardized to such an extent
that comparatively few players are at a loss as to their
correct opening lead. When, however, the contract is at
a suit make, then many players flounder around hope-
lessly and generally do the wrong thing. After all, the
important thing to do is the thing that the partner will
understand. One school of players believes that, when
the partner has made a suit bid and has been overcalled
by the following hand, that the best lead to make is the
highest card of the suit bid by partner. Another school
thinks that the high card should only be led when the
suit consists of less than four cards. Both methods have
adherents among the leading teachers and when experts
47
48 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
disagree, what can be expected from the general run of
players? The first school believes that the important thing
is to show the partner what the best card is that you
hold in his suit. This is quite true when playing with
beginners, but only of secondary importance when play-
ing with advanced players. The advantage of knowing
the length of the suit is usually of far greater value to
the experienced player. Holding four cards of the part-
ner's declared suit, the bottom card should be led unless
the hand contains the Ace, the King-Queen or the Queen-
Jack. Many situations arise where this method of play
maps out the path definitely, while the other way leaves
it entirely to guess-work. The following hand is an ex-
ample of an ever qccurring situation:
9 5 3
KQ J 6 4
A K 8
* A J 8 43
South had the deal and bid a Club, which was over-
called by West with a Heart. There was no further
bidding and the ten of Clubs was opened. If North be a
A LEADING QUESTION 49
player who always leads the top of the partner's suit,
irrespective of length, what should South do when East
plays low on the lead of the ten? The King of Clubs
must be with West and if North has four Clubs, then
West holds the singleton King. To finesse, or not to
finesse, that is the question. I would be as puzzled as
Hamlet. It narrows down to a point where the game
depends upon guessing whether North has four or less
Clubs. Playing the system of low from a suit of four,
the lead of the ten at once marks West with at least
one other Club to the King and the finesse must be
taken. It is obvious that the game will be lost if the
Ace of Clubs is played to the first round, as the Declarant
obtains a Spade discard on the Queen of Clubs in his
dummy. Let us say that North held four Clubs and led
the two. In such a position South would go up with the
Ace and if the King did not fall, then it would be safe
in North's hand and South could decide whether to lead
back a low Club or shift to another suit. In the rare in-
stances where the low card led is a singleton, there is
usually something either in the bidding or the drop of the
cards, that will enlighten the partner. Very often deals
arise that require but perfunctory play to save the game,
when the partners are not forced to guess as to the exact
meaning of a specific lead. There can be no "exactness"
when the top card is always led, regardless of number. In
a recent match game a very neat hand was played that
prettily illustrated the importance of number-showing
leads. In conjunction with Milton C. Work, I was ar-
ranging a series of deals for an International Duplicate
Tournament and thought this deal would make a good
example hand. Mr. Work felt convinced that such
a large majority of the players would lead the top-card
S Q LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
of the partner's declared suit and mess up the hand on the
very first trick, that we decided to omit the deal from the
competition. This hand is worthy of profound study.
A K 8 6 2
A 3
4 A Q 10 4
* 9 S 4
East dealt and bid a Club. South bid a Diamond, West
a Heart, North passed and East now bid a Spade, After
South had passed, West secured the contract with a bid
of two Hearts. There is little to the bidding, except the
preference given to the original Club bid instead of the
Spade. If West had held three little Spades and No Trump
support, an original Spade bid might have bought the
contract, while a game-going bid of No Trump would be
very apt to result from the Club bid. There is no question
but that North must open the Diamond suit* If the King
is opened and continued, South must take three rounds
in the hope that West holds three of the suit and the game
will be saved. The play that saves game is the opening of
the two of Diamonds. South wins with the Ace and returns
A LEADING QUESTION 51
a low Diamond. North takes it with the King and al-
though he knows West will be forced to ruff the next lead
of Diamonds, a switch must be made to Spades. Unless
South can win a trick in that suit and has a stopper in
the trump suit, the game cannot be saved. It is usually
too late to force an adversary when he holds a solid suit.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LUCK
WHILE the element of luck enters largely into
all card games, it is not the controlling factor
at Auction Bridge that a great number of play-
ers seem to think. It must be admitted that its vagaries
are often weird and inexplicable, but occasionally the
"contributing something," of the players have much to
do with its curious workings. I have seen every rubber
won during an entire evening by the players choosing
the blue cards : by the players winning the choice of seats
and selecting the North and South positions: by the play-
ers selecting the long way of the table: by one particular
player whose play wasn't even particular. In fact, any
idiosyncracy, however foolish, appears to work like a
charm at times ! Who has not heard players affirm that
they lost every finesse they took? That every slight error
they made was sure to lose them the rubber, while their
opponents' mistakes worked to the advantage of the
opponents ?
Why is it that every Club has certain players that have
a standing reputation of being "bad holders," while other
players are credited with always holding everything in
the deck? When these questions can be answered intelli-
gently then possibly we will be able to standardize "luck"
along with the rules and conventions.
Luck at Auction Bridge is not merely the holding of
good cards. If there is a dub in the game as there al-
ways seems to be the great luck is to cut against him:
to make successful finesses: to have the opponents revoke.
52
LUCK
S3
on a hand where you are down four tricks: to watch the
enemy worry through a hand and make four-odd at Clubs,
when they have game and rubber at No Trumps.
That bad luck will stick to a player during a session of
play, or for a week, or even longer, is unquestionably
true. But, I firmly believe, that in the long run it will
average itself up, so that the capable player who will mini-
mize his losses when the "breaks" are against him, must
be a consistent winner at the end of a year.
A number of players, however, will never recognize the
fact that the limitation of their ability to bid or play a
hand correctly is a far greater hindrance to their success
than is the bogey, bad luck.
Recently, I sat back of a man who bemoaned his luck
in losing six consecutive rubbers and I watched him drop
the seventh. His wail was that the West player had
played "mighty well" in leading trumps and preventing
a Heart ruff, but that was what he had been "up against
all evening" !
This is the hand:
54 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
North had the deal and bid a Diamond, which East
overcalled with a Heart, and South obtained the contract
with a bid of one Spade.
West led the Queen of Hearts to his partner's call, and
seeing but two Hearts in Dummy, he followed with the
ten of Spades. Declarant won with the Ace and led an-
other Heart, which East took and led the last trump,
compelling South to lose three Heart tricks and one Dia-
mond trick.
It is apparent that if the Declarant could have ruffed
his third Heart in Dummy that he would have won the
game, which would have meant the rubber, as each side
had scored a game.
Irrespective of the opponents' good play, did South
play the hand to its trick taking capacity?
That the opponents would not permit the Declarant
to ruff a Heart should have been obvious to him as soon
as West led the trump at the second trick, so he should
have at once abandoned that scheme of play and tried for
something else. His only chance was to establish his
Diamonds before the enemy could make three Heart
tricks. If he did not find the Diamond suit bunched in
one hand the game could be won. As the Dummy was
void of reentries, the proper play was to have played a
low Diamond and to have permitted the opponents to win
the trick. If the Heart trick was not cashed in at once, the
Declarant would have made five odd by discarding his
two Hearts on the Diamonds, after the trumps were
drawn. If the Heart trick was taken it was the last trick
that the opponents could take and the game must have
been won against any defense,
Poor, martyred "luck"!
LUCK
ss
Another hand that was chalked to Poor Old Tough
Luck was the following:
* Q 4
10 8 6
4 10 8 7 6 4
* J9 5
South dealt and bid a Heart, West a Spade, South
two Hearts, West three Diamonds. East went back to
Spades and South secured the final contract at four Hearts
doubled.
West opened the King of Diamonds and followed with
the King and Ace of Spades, South held up the two of
Spades until the second round of the suit, leaving West in
doubt as to whether his partner could trump the third
round. When it developed that East had three Spades,
West led a low Diamond as his partner either held the
Jack or could ruff the trick. South trumped the Diamond
in his hand, ruffed a Spade in Dummy and came through
with the Jack of Clubs, which was covered by the King,
After drawing the trumps, old Tough Luck loomed ug
5 6 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
in the offing and the ten refused to fall, setting the con-
tract for one trick.
The "lucky" way to have played this hand would have
been to trump the Diamond with the Jack of Hearts, fol-
low with the Ace of Hearts, trump the Spade and then
lead the Jack of Clubs. When the Jack is covered, the
four of Hearts would permit Dummy to get in the lead
to play the nine of Clubs and finesse against the ten. This
line of play would have won the game. For South to count
up the opponents* hands is quite easy. East's holding of
two Diamonds and three Spades is shown by the play and
when the nine of Hearts falls from West, he is pretty
well marked as holding only two Clubs. The Declarant
admitted that he had counted the hand in exactly this way,
but that his luck was so bad that he could not afford to
finesse and permit West to win with the singleton ten of
Clubs if he held it. The only comment I could make to
this was, that the player take four cards and after shuffling
them well, deal a card to one player and three cards to
another player. According to the law of average the sin-
gle card will be a specific one exactly once, every four
times. In other words, it is bad play and not bad luck,
to expect an even break on a three to one chance-
CHAPTER TWELVE
PREEMPTIVE STRATEGY
THERE appears to be some question as to the
present status of preemptive bids.
Apparently quite a number of players believe
that this form of strategy is in ill-favor with the leading
experts, because it tends to shut out valuable informa-
tion, not only from the adversaries, but from the partner
as well. As a matter of fact, proper preemptive bids are
fully as effective now as they have been in the past, and
when a hand goes astray, careful diagnosis will show that
the fault lies entirely with the incorrect use of this style
of bid. Players who believe that an original bid of "two"
is a preemptive bid, are very much like the ancient Chi-
nese warriors, who thought to frighten the enemy with
banners upon which were painted horrible effigies. Against
good players, a bid of less than three in the major suits
or four in the minors, is absolutely of no avail, and unless
the player has the cards or nerve to make such a bid, he
had far better start with a bid of "one/* Human na-
ture is sufficiently perverse to put up a strong fight
against being prevented from doing something that
57
58 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
might have been only a mild desire until it was aggra-
vated.
A sound preemptive bid should call for at least two
tricks more than the hand is worth. In most instances
where such a bid obtains the contract and is defeated,
the opponents generally have a chance to make the game
if the contract goes to them, so a loss taken under such
circumstances is entirely negligible. The difficulty, of late,
is that many players have been so obsessed with the idea
of making preemptive bids on every occasion, that penal-
ties have been incurred on hands that might have gone
game with the proper bidding. This, of course, is not so
much the fault of the system, as it is bad bidding and is
no reason at all for advocating the abandonment of pre-
emptive bids.
The fault usually lies with the player who does not
recognize the potential strength of a "two suiter." When
the length and strength is practically massed in one suit,
that is the psychological time to preempt, but when the
hand contains a second suit of five cards or more, it is
better to show both suits, when possible to do so. The
latent possibilities of a hand, in which ten or eleven cards
are in two suits, is almost inconceivable and a player who
will preempt with such a hand is literally selling the
game for a mess of porridge.
The following hand was dealt at the Knickerbocker
Whist Club of New York, at a duplicate tournament and
rather disheartened a number of gallant preemptors:
PREEMPTIVE STRATEGY
59
South was the dealer and at a number of tables started
the bidding with three or four Spades. Against the correct
opening of either the Ace of Hearts or a low Diamond,
the Declarant can take in only seven or eight tricks, de-
pendent upon whether or not he takes the finesse against
the Queen of Spades. Admittedly, the hand is a freak, and
should be bid up to four, but only by easy stages. The
proper bid is one Spade and when the Hearts are shown
by East, the Spades are sufficiently powerful to be rebid,
before the Clubs are shown at all. If two Spades Mre left
in, the player is simply out of luck, but North must not
be permitted to labor under the delusion that he is asked
to choose between two suits that are equal, or almost so.
However, East would be a poor player indeed, not to
show the Diamonds and then South is given the op-
portunity to bid "four Clubs. 3 *
60 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Once the Clubs are shown, the game is in sight, as
South can make eleven tricks without difficulty, by tak-
ing two rounds of trumps as soon as he obtains the lead
and then ruffing out the Spades. The main point of this
hand is that, while every reasonable chance to make the
game at Spades must be taken, the opportunist will not
entirely overlook the possibilities of the secondary suit,
A hand quite similar to the one given above but where
the second suit should not be shown, notwithstanding it's
great strength is the one following:
A J8 7
^ J 874
482
* A K 7 6
^964
M _ .__,_
4 A K Q J 7 4
* Q 8 4 2
NORTH
SOUTH
A 2
A 10 9 2
4 10 9 6 5
* J 10 5 3
A A K Q 10 5 3
V KQ6 5 3
* 3
* 9
A very important principle of bidding is embodied in
this hand. "When a strong suit bid is freely supported by
the partner, a second suit need not be shown/ 7 This hand
is worthy of discussion because here the "preemptors"
seemed to steal a march on the one trick bidders.
Where the bidding started with one Spade by South,
West overcalled with two Diamonds and North assisted
PREEMPTIVE STRATEGY 61
the Spades. East helped the Diamonds and if South then
showed the Hearts, the hand was played at that make as
North liked the Hearts better than the Spades. The mis-
take was for South to bid the Hearts at all, as his Spade
holding was so powerful that, with his partner's im-
mediate support, he did not desire a choice between the
two suits.
While in this specific hand the game was safe at either
make and the loss was mainly in the honor score, there
are many hands where the opponents will double a high
contract if only one suit is bid, but will refuse to take
liberties against two suitors. With a hand as strong as
this, a double of three or fout Spades should not be
particularly displeasing.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LEADING TRUMPS TO THE MAKER
OCCASIONALLY the opening lead of a trump
right up to the Declarant is a sound and win-
ning play and at times the one defense that can
save the game.
The conditions under which such a play is usually a
Winner is when the contract is fairly high and the dummy
has supported the make after denying another suit bid of
the Declarant.
I have noticed, however, that a number of players
will start a trump as an opening lead upon very slight
provocation. All they need to justify themselves in such a
play is one or two low trumps and a single honor in two
suits. That such a play is a cravenly one does not seem
to occur to them. If the unhappy partner holds a possible
trump trick, it is at once sacrificed to the trump-leading
juggernaut.
Recently I was enabled to pick up four trumps to the
Queen-Jack on my right, because an obliging opponent
thought a singleton trump was the best opening lead he
could make. The proper opening would have set me a
trick, instead of which I landed the game.
After the dummy is exposed and the hand has de-
veloped to a certain point, there are, of course, many more
62
LEADING TRUMPS TO THE MAKER 63
opportunities for leading trumps against the maker. Even
here, however, it is useless to lead trumps, when the
dummy hand has at least three cards of each plain suit
and cannot ruff anything. The mere fact that the player
is leading up to weakness is not a good excuse. The
partner will eventually make the trump tricks that he is
entitled to and it is playing the opponents' game to lead
trumps without a good reason for doing so.
With Spades being trumps, the dummy holding three
small ones and the Ace with two low Clubs, the opponent
after deep thought, led a trump up to the dummy. The
play was unfortunate and lost the game. In reply to his
partner's remonstrance he said: "Well, I had to lead a
trump or a Club, and, I could not lead a Club up to the
Ace." As a matter of fact, his Club holding consisted of
small cards and was the only proper suit to lead. If the
partner did not hold a finessing card, playing third hand,
then the suit was solid with the opponents and they
could not be prevented from bringing it in.
I held a hand some days ago, where a trump lead was
made against me that lost the game. In this instance the
lead was not entirely without justification, but neverthe-
less, I do not believe it was a sound play. When it is
almost a certainty that the game can be saved by con-
servative methods, there is no excuse for taking unneces-
sary chances, even when there is some hope for defeating
the contract.
64 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* Q 8 5
V K
* AJ8 7
* K 10 9 6 4
* J74
V 76
* 10 6 2
* J 87S 3
NORTH
SOUTH
A A 3
A 10 9 8
+ KQ 94
* A 2
A K 10 9 6 2
V Q J43 *
* S 3
* Q
East had the deal and bid a Heart, which I passed
second hand. West passed and North doubled. This was a
weak double and hardly up to the requirements but we
have all seen worse. East properly redoubled and I bid a
Spade. With a sound doubling hand held by partner, game
in Spades seems better than an even chance. East went on
to two Hearts and I ventured two Spades, While many
players would prefer to double the two Heart bid, which
would assuredly have been sound play, the original re-
double by East must not be forgotten. He probably holds
a very powerful hand and should not be defeated for
over a trick or two. However, the contract went for two
Spades, and East won the first trick with the Ace of
Hearts and at once played the Ace and low Spade* Hi$
reasoning, that South probably held five Hearts because
the Spades were not bid over the Hearts until the double
from Partner, was sound, but I cannot see how he hoped
LEADING TRUMPS TO THE MAKER 65
to get his partner in to lead the last trump. If East had
held three Spades, I believe the trump lead would have
been obligatory.
However, when dummy won the third trick, a low
Club was led, but East would not fall for that trap and
hopped right up with the Ace, felling the singleton Queen.
He now led the ten of Hearts still hoping to take two
tricks in Diamonds, if he refused to lead them. The heart
was not covered, but ruffed in the dummy, and a Diamond
discard taken on the King of Clubs. A Club was next led
and trumped and the last trump drawn from West. Now,
the Queen and Jack of Hearts was played and East was
left with the high Heart and the King-Queen of Dia-
monds.
For the eleventh trick the last trump was led and East
capitulated to the ever popular squeeze. Which merely
proves that when the opponents are generous, 'tis folly
to look a gift trick askance.
While on this subject of squeeze plays, the follow-
ing hand is one of the neatest I have seen and I regret
that the Declarant refused to play out the cards, but
claimed only a Small Slam, which was graciously con-
ceded to him. As he put it: "Six Spades, three Diamonds,
two clubs and a Heart twelve tricks."
66 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
4k 10 2
V 8 6 s 4
+ A K Q 2
4
V
*
976
3
10 7 6 5
Q 10 9 7 6
4k
V
843
i 4 8-4
V K Q J 10.9 7
* J 984
* J
NORTH
JSOUTH
AKQJS3
A2
* 3
* A K s 2
East mentioned something about Hearts, but South
could not be denied and secured the contract at Spades.
The three of Hearts was opened and the hand must take
thirteen tricks if correctly played. Five rounds of trumps
forces West to discard two Clubs, while East disgorges
his good Hearts. Then the Ace, King of Clubs forces
East to let another Heart go and the last trump completes
a double squeeze. West must let a Diamond go to guard
his top Club and East is in the same predicament if he
holds the Diamonds, South will make the two of Hearts.
Of course, dummy must hold all four Diamonds to the
end.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE OPPORTUNIST
A CONSIDERABLE number of bridge players
believe that the method of handling a suit should
be governed altogether by its distribution and
high card strength. They cannot understand why, given
exactly the same cards and distribution of a suit and with
the identical opening, the play should at times be along
diametrically different lines. The reason for this seeming
paradox is, that very often the proper play is based en-
tirely upon the holding of the remaining suits. Take the
opening lead of a low Spade against a No Trump bid.
The dummy holds the Ace-King and two small Spades,
while the Declarant holds the Jack and two small cards
of the suit. Usually the best play would be to play low
from the dummy. If the Queen is with the leader, the
Jack must win the first trick and if the Third Hand holds
the Queen, the suit is still good for three tricks to the
Declarant. If, however, the maker holds a dangerous suit,
such as King-low, with no protection in dummy, and a
suit that is close to establishment, the correct play is to
at once jump up with the King on the opening lead. If
the Queen happens to be with third hand it is obvious that
a switch will be made, and there is little doubt as to what
it will be.
In such a situation recently, the Declarant put up the
honor Second Hand and by great luck the singleton Queen
67
68 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
fell from Third Hand, winning the game for the maker,
while the hand would have been defeated for two tricks
if Third Hand had won the first trick. I fear me that the
facetious remark of the Declarant that he never permitted
singleton Queens to win, was hardly appreciated by the
opponents. The following hand is an excellent example of
the fallacy of playing hands too much in a conventional
way:
A A 8 4
Q 6
4 A Q 10 8 4
* 10 8 3
North had the deal and bid a Diamond, which South
overcalled with a No Trump, securing the contract. The
seven of Hearts was opened and the only chance to take
two tricks in the suit seems to be the play of the Queen
of Hearts. On the rule of eleven, East holds two cards
higher than the seven and if one of them is the Ace, the
lower card should nevertheless be finessed and must drive
out the King. However, in this hand, making two tricks
THE OPPORTUNIST 69
in Hearts is the least of the troubles that confront the
Declarer. The very important thing is to shut out the
Heart suit, if possible.
The pivotal card, is the King of Diamonds. If this card
is with West then the game must be won against any
defense. But, if East holds the King and has a Heart to
return to partner, then the game is hopeless. It will be
seen that the Diamonds can be finessed but one way, so
the Declarant has no choice but to refuse to win the first
Heart "trick either with the Queen or the King. The
chances are greatly in favor of this line of play winning
the game. If the opener holds a six-card suit, then East
must be out on the third round. If the opener holds a
four-card suit, then but three tricks can be made in
Hearts and one in Diamonds still a game for the de-
clarer. If West holds exactly five cards in suit, then the
game can be saved, but only by perfect play. West must
permit the Queen to win the second trick ! As a matter of
actual play, the Jack won the first trick and West foolishly
refused to take the second trick. Declarant put his hand
in with a Spade and finessed the Diamond, which East
won, and led a low Club but with the game in sight, the
Declarant clattered up with the Ace and ran off the
balance of the Diamonds.
At the end East is embarrassed in making two discards
on the Diamonds and the Declarant scores eleven tricks,
instead of seven that he would have made if the Queen
had been played on the first trick. The student should
take cognizance of the importance of playing the Jack
under the Queen of Hearts if it had gone up on the first
trick. If the Jack is retained, it cannot be overtaken by
the partner and effectively blocks the entire suit.
70 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
In this hand, if the long suit had been with South, so
that the finesse could have been taken to put West in the
lead if the play was not successful, then unequivocally,
the only proper play would have been to endeavor to win
the first trick with the Queen of Hearts.
It is really curious how often plays that appear to be
pure, unadulterated luck, are based upon reasoning that
to a great extent, eliminates the factor of luck* On two oc-
casions one evening I was playing a hand at one No
Trump and against a low Spade opening, holding the
Queen and two small cards in the dummy and two little
cards in my hand, I played the Queen on the first oc-
casion and held the trick, and played low on the second
occurrence and the Ace was played third-hand. As my
holding was practically identical in both cases, a by-
stander inquired if there was any explanation other than
"blind luck," for my choice of plays. I thought there was !
In the first instance, I had made an original bid and there
had been nq further bidding. My right-hand opponent
was a very capable player and I knew that if he held
either the Ace or King he would, under no circumstances,
play either to the first trick unless the Queen went up*
It was not at all unlikely that the leader was playing
from the Ace-King, and as that was the only hope, I had
nothing to lose by jumping up with the Queen. In the
second case, I was Fourth Hand. The Dealer passing, my
partner had bid a minor suit and I secured the con-
tract for a No Trump, Having passed as Dealer, I felt
practically certain that the leader did not hold both Ace
and King of his suit. Again, Third Hand this time was not
a ranking, close-counting player. My only chance was to
give him an opportunity to make an error and, as some-
THE OPPORTUNIST 71
times happens,- he was obliging. He did not dare to take
the obligatory Ace-ten finesse. I can merely say in con-
clusion, that if the Queen had gone up Second Hand, the
only chance of the hand would have been lost that of
permitting the adversary to make .a mistake.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BIDS TO THE SCORE
ONE of the commonest errors of many unusually
good players is that of attempting to "bid to the
score." In the days of old Bridge, before the
bidding appendage was part of the game, it was a vital
necessity to know the state of the score and to select the
make in accordance with that knowledge. In the old game,
but one declaration could be made and while that
declaration might be doubled and redoubled, ad infinitum,
it could not be changed into another make. Quite a num-
ber of old-time players are still imbued with the spirit of
bidding to the score. Holding a good No Trump bid, they
start the bidding with two or three Clubs, because such a
bid, if successful, will give them the game. Very often they
find an unfortunate distribution of their suit, that pre-
vents them from making the game, when a correct open-
ing bid would have elicited a game going declaration from
their partner. Should the bid fit in with their partner's
hand, then the opponents are very likely to be heard
from, so after all is said and done, unless a real, shut-out
preemptive bid can be made, a proper, conventional in*
formatory call is usually the best one to make at any stage
of the game.
At a score of 1 8 to o, I saw a player bid two Clubs on
a holding of six to the Queen-Jack, with a worthless hand
outside. After the partner had raised him to four, the con-
72
BIDS TO THE SCORE 73
tract was doubled and set for four hundred points. Hav-
ing five Clubs to the Ace-King, the partner was justified
in believing that the original bidder must have compensat-
ing values to make up for the lack of top cards in the bid
suit. If a player desires to play an understanding partner-
ship game, bidding to the score should be relegated to the
distant days of "May I play," and "If you please."
There is one position, however, when the state of the
score must be considered as a potent factor in the bidding*
If the score is advanced to a point where a bid of "one"
will give the game to the player and he is able to make
one or two by-tricks, then it is execrable play that per-
mits him to obtain the contract so cheaply. I must not
be misunderstood as saying that the player should never
be permitted to obtain the contract for a bid of "one" at
an advanced score. Often a bid of one trick should not
be overcalled, but when this happens, the Declarant
should have little difficulty in making four or five odd
tricks. But, when the Declarant can just make his con-
tract, or at most, a trick over and he is allowed to obtain
the contract and make the game, then it is apparent that
the opponents have not properly bid their hands. With
material sufficiently strong to hold the contract down to
seven or eight tricks, the opposition must be strong enough
to bid, even if they are doubled and set for a trick or
two. To permit the enemy to "sweat-out," by making a
bid of "one," is the worst atrocity in the category of
Auction crimes.
It is a well known fact that an advanced score helps
towards making the game only once in about 34 times,
when playing against proper defense. So, when you have
27 on the rubber game, the actual advantage towards
winning the rubber is very slight about three percent.
74 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
When the rubber is finally won, it will be noticed that the
27 points might just as well have been "above the line."
The advantage of the score, however, is of considerable
material benefit that does not always appear on the
surface. As I have pointed out, the enemy should not
allow the player with the advanced score to obtain the
contract too cheaply. A clever player, having this point
of view in mind, will find it more lucrative to gather in
some easy penalties, than allow himself to be forced to
overbid his hand. To sum up, the advanced score may not
be a great help towards the game, but it is fine for
gathering in the penalties.
It is always a matter of considerable interest to go over
a hand that a number of more or less expert players find
it difficult to make game on. At the Knickerbocker Whist
Club only two players out of fifteen, at duplicate auction,
secured the game on the following hand:
BIDS TO THE SCORE 75
South had the deal and bid a Spade, which was passed
by West and North. East bid a No Trump, South passed
and West rescued with two Clubs. North now helped the
Spades, East called three Diamonds and South went to
three Spades. West supported the Diamonds to four and
North bid four Spades. East's double was passed all
around, although it is a close question whether West
should not have bid five Diamonds, as his support is
based entirely on ability to ruff if Diamonds are the
trumps.
Played at Spades, the hand presents some very neat
situations. The common error seemed to be that North
located the King of Clubs with the West hand, on account
of the Club bid and subsequent denial by East.
Even if this were so, why take a finesse that is un-
necessary? The No Trump bid marks the Queen of
Hearts with East and that finesse must be taken, but the
Club play is not essential.
The Diamond is opened and continued, South ruffing
the second round. Now, if the trumps are divided, it seems
like smooth sailing, but when West does not follow, the
Declarant sees he must lose two trump tricks, so he can-
not afford to permit any more suit tricks to escape him.
A low Heart should be led and won with the King.
On the return the Jack must be finessed and the Ace drops
the balance, permitting dummy to take a discard on the
thirteener. This discard must be the Diamond and not
the Club! If a Club is discarded, East should ruff and
play the last trump before forcing South in the lead by
ruffing him with a Diamond and compelling him to lose a
Club trick. With the Diamond discard, East is helpless !
A Club lead is to the tenace and a Diamond affords the
enemy both a ruff and a discard of the losing Club.
76 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
If East refuses to ruff the Heart, the Declarant will
stick him in the lead with a trump and the same situa-
tion presents itself as two rounds of trumps will leave
dummy with a trump still remaining to ruff the Diamond.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
AUCTION BRIDGE IN DUPLICATE
AT the Knickerbocker Whist Club, of New York,
where "Auction Bridge in Duplicate" is a feature,
more than thirty tables of players participate
every Thursday evening. There is an erroneous impres-
sion prevalent that a player with a good memory for
cards has a decided advantage at this style of game, be-
cause a number of the hands might be remembered on the
replay of the cards. This is not so at all. The hands are
never replayed by the same players, but are passed to
the other tables, where the "duplicate" play takes place.
It is apparent that all the players seated North and
South, at the conclusion of the match, will have played
the same hands, while the East and West players will
have played the identical cards as the players who are
seated their way of the table. In each game there are
really two matches one for the North and South players
and one for the East and Westers.
Players unfamiliar with duplicate will at once object,
that some players are unquestionably much poorer than
others and diplomacy of the highest rank would be re-
quired to match 'em up. That playing all evening against
a poor pair would be as good as holding most of the best
cards. All this is entirely overcome by having the players
move to another table after two or more hands are played.
The East and West players travel to a higher numbered
table, while boards containing the cards, are moved to a
77
78 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
lower numbered table. The North and South players
do not move. This method of progression will permit each
pair to play all the hands and against every pair, without
meeting the same cards or the same players, when there
is an odd number of tables.
Should there be an even number of tables then the East
and West players must skip one table when the match is
half played. With twelve tables in play (an even number),
all the East and Westers would skip after playing their
sixth table. To complete the round, with even tables, it
is necessary to play twice against the pair where the
start was made. Even this inequality may be overcome by
a "relay system" that is now played at all the larger
Clubs.
It will be seen that, at duplicate, all the competing
players hold exactly the same cards and play against the
same players, so a "top score," made under these condi-
tions, really means something. Should indifferent cards
run one way of the table, as may well happen, the best
score made can easily be a considerable minus. However,
the average score i$ taken by dividing the aggregate score
of all the tables by the number of tables in play, and the
amount that each score is over or under the average, is
the amount that that pair win or lose. Rubbers are not
played. Each deal is complete in itself and 125 points is
scored for the game.
Although the cards are dealt at the commencement of
the game, it is remarkable how many hands appear every
session of play that seem as extraordinary as if they had
been purposely arranged by an expert, to trap an innocent
player.
The following hand was played at sixteen tables, and
only at one table was five odd at Clubs made!
AUCTION BRIDGE IN DUPLICATE 79
# A J 10 7 4 2
South bid a Club, which was doubled by West. North
inserted a "Jump bid" of three Clubs, which squelched
the East player, but West bid three Diamonds and South
finally secured the contract at five Clubs* While the bid-
ding at other tables was not altogether the same, the con-
tract went to the South player at fourteen tables, and in
most cases, "doubled/'
The opening lead was the King of Diamonds and South
at once started a cross-ruff with the Hearts and Diamonds.
When the third Heart was played and the King fell in
the East hand, the Declarant has the option of ruffing an-
other Diamond or taking the Club finesse. Although the
bidding seems to mark the King of Clubs in the East
hand, it is nevertheless bad play to try the finesse. Close
card-reading marks West with three four-card suits.
The Spade suit may appear unplaced to the novice, but
it seems fair to assume that with eight Spades to the Ace,
8o LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
King, Jack and ten missing, that the suit would surely
have been bid, if five of them had been in one hand. This
leaves the West hand with one Club, which persumably
is not the King. The very important point, however, is
that if the singleton Club is not the King, the game can-
not be won! If the Club King is with the East the next
Heart will be overtrumped and the two Spades lost.
The one chance to win the game is that the singleton
Club is the King and so it turned out to be.
During the play of the Canadian championship at
Toronto, a hand was played on the final day of the
tournament, that embodied nearly all essential points
necessary for perfect bidding and skilful play.
4 K 8 7 4 2
V J6
4 A Q J 10 9
A A9$3
V 10 8 5 4
+ 7
* QJ9
NORTH
SOUTH
* QJ
V A 73
> K 6 4 3
.48652
A 10 5
V K Q 9
+ 852
* A K jo 7 3
South had the deal and bid a Club, which West passed
and North bid a Spade. East passed and South then
called a No Trump, which North overcalled with twd
AUCTION BRIDGE IN DUPLICATE 81
Diamonds. South went two No Trumps and secured the
contract.
The Heart was opened and the second round was won
by the Declarant. The Diamond finesse went to East and
the Hearts were cleared. It now appears that only eight
tricks can be made, four Diamonds and two each in
Clubs and Hearts, but careful play will take nine tricks
against any defense. When the Diamonds are run off, five
cards are left in each hand. The Declarant must hold
three Clubs and two Spades. The West hand is "squeezed"
and must discard one of his good Hearts, retaining three
Clubs, one Heart and the Ace of Spades. He is now put
in with the Spade and makes his one Heart and re-
signs. At only two tables was this hand correctly played
as above.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE VERY WORST
MUCH has been said and written in reference to
the importance of personal equation as a gov-
erning factor, both in playing and bidding. We
all know certain players that it is perfectly safe to "push
up" a trick or two, because they apparently would rather
secure the play of the hand and be defeated, than take a
penalty from their opponents. Then we have the other
extreme, where players will cheerfully give up a game
hand, to inflict a chastening double on the enemy, that
will at most, gain them one or two hundred points. They
look at it as a personal affront when the opponents insist
upon bidding against them, even though the opposing bid
is a thoroughly sound one and has a fair chance for suc-
cess. After all, the object of the game is to obtain the
greatest number of points and the players have the right
to go after this objective in any legitimate way that, in
their judgment, appears to be the best
Some time ago I received a query from a lady in
Cleveland, asking what, in my opinion, was the very worst
fault that a bridge player could have. It would have been
easy to tell the worst fault all of them but the "very"
puts a different aspect to the question.
I wonder if the correct answer is a husband !
To side-step a query as earnest as this one would be
unfair, so, scalpel in hand, the inquisition is in order.
82
THE VERY WORST 83
Were it put to the popular, or rather unpopular, vote, I
am quite sure that the consensus of opinion would be
divided, between awarding the palm to the flagrant over-
bidder or the habitual under-bidder. While both of these
offenders are generally bad partners to sit opposite to,
it must be conceded that there are times when their style
of play proves a consistent point-winner. This is shown
in the duplicate matches, when for an entire evening the
cards will favor the bold bidders and the winning scores
go to this class. At other sessions, the timid bidders have
their inning and come out ahead. In the great majority of
times, however, the best scores go to the soundest players,
proving beyond question the truth of the old axiom, that,
"exceptional play wins only in exceptional cases,"
When a player overbids his hand and is set for four
or five hundred .points, it is hard to convince the abused
partner that "it is all for the best." Nevertheless, there
are occasions when the loose-bidder is almost, if not quite,
justified. On the rubber game, when the opponents are
sure to score the rubber, with a possible slam, much
might be said in extenuation of the flag-flyer.
Something too, can be said in favor of the over-careful
bidden Ever refusing to take a penalty, the rubbers he
loses are small ones, and count up slowly. When the cards
are running badly for him, he will save many hundreds of
points that any other player would have been saddled
with,
However, to get back to the "very worst," I think that
the greatest point of difference between winning and los-
ing at Auction is where a player continually takes losses,
when the opponents could be defeated if permitted to play
the hand. The luck of the cards cannot be sufficiently
great to carry to success a player who insists on overbid-
84 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
ding when he has the enemy in difficulties. I firmly be-
lieve that the "luck" will average itself in the long run
and that the player who says he always holds bad cards
has something fundamentally wrong with his game.
It assuredly is sophistical for a player to blame the
cards when he is defeated for a penalty of two hundred
points, if, instead of going on with his bid, he had doubled
the opponent and won a penalty of four hundred. Yet this
very thing is done day after day by players who reiterate
parrot-like "I never hold anything."
I am pleased to reproduce a hand illustrating the situa-
tion as given above:
* 8 4 2
* 73
+ Q98
* A K Q 6
654
AKQJ 5
4 A K J 6
* J 10 8 7
South had the deal and bid a Spade, which West over-
called with two Clubs and East bid three Hearts. South
went to three Spades, West and North passed and Ea$t
tried four Hearts* South bid four Spades, which wa&
doubled by West and passed all around. As South holds
THE VERY WORST 85
normal length in the Spade suit, he is justified in believ-
ing that he can make at least two tricks in the suit against
the opposing declaration. He should count on making two
Diamond tricks and his best play is to double four Hearts.
If his partner holds four or more Spades and no side
tricks, it is up to him to decide whether to leave the
double stand, or to go on with the Spades. Being void of
the Heart suit is no advantage to South, especially as he
holds only five Spades and an immediate Heart niff will
ruin his hand, should one of the opponents hold four
Spades. East overbids his hand because the great length
of his Heart suit leads him to believe that the game is in
danger, as the first round of his suit is likely to be
trumped.
In the play of the hand West led three rounds of
Clubs and ruffed his partner on the fourth round. South
was now compelled to lose a Diamond trick and was
fortunate to find that suit evenly divided, or he would
have lost another trick.
At four Hearts doubled, South should have played
three rounds of Spades, North discarding the three of
Diamonds on the third round. On the King and Ace of
Diamonds, North should echo with the seven and five.
South would then ruff him with a third Diamond and a
Club lead would leave East with nothing left but Hearts,
so he would be compelled to ruff and permit North to
make his Queen of Hearts, being set for a loss of four
hundred points.
A difference of six hundred points on one hand would
go a long ways towards equalizing the "lucL"
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
UNDERLEADING
IN the first volume of Lenz on Bridge I gave a rather
neat ending position, where, with three cards left in
the hand, the player could take two of the tricks,
if he played correctly. With so few cards remaining, it
seemed to me that all the combinations could be gone
over quickly, so I suggested that solvers go at it more in
the way of a time test, than of perspicacity. The position
was:
South had the lead and playing Spades as Trumps, did
not appear to have a difficult task, so I hardly thought it
86
UNDERLEADING 87
worthy of giving the proper play and defense. The fol-
lowing extract from a letter I received, leads me to be-
lieve that some players treated my little problem with
rather too much disdain.
. . . "Your problem was not at all difficult and I did it in exactly
eleven seconds. I led the Queen of Hearts and Mr. West threw
away the Queen of Clubs. Mr. East trumped with thfe seven of
trumps and played the King of Diamonds. It makes no difference
whether his partner trumps with" the three or ten of Spades, the
two tricks must be won by the other players. I wonder if anyone
did it in quicker time than I did?"
J.A.S.
No, Dear J. A. S., you certainly 'deserve the time prize.
But, after all, it was more of a bridge problem than a
hundred yard dash that was under discussion.
Permit me to be Mr. West for the nonce, and I might
feel the urge to tag the Queen of Hearts with the three of
trumps. East would discard the Diamond and nothing
but sudden death would prevent us from taking another
trick.
The only play that will win two tricks for North and
South is the lead of the two of Spades by South and the
cover of any card West plays, by North. When East
wins and leads his Diamond, South discards the Heart
and North has a trump left to beat anything West has
remaining. The Ace of trumps wins the last trick.
One of the most troublesome plays at Auction for some
players is the opening lead against a No Trump,
when the suit to be opened is headed by two or three
honors.
Many players will open with an honor when they have
cards of reentry and lead fourth-best when the hand is
void of reentry cards. While therg |re some hands where
88 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
an honor opening is proper, in the great majority of cases
a low lead will prove to be the winning play.
When the suit is headed by the Ace-King-ten, it is
rarely that anything can be gained by laying down the
King and taking a "look." It is not so much the hope that
the partner has a high honor in such a suit that influences
the underlead, as it is the desirability of having one card
of the suit left in partner's hand, if he can obtain the
lead. There is nothing so exasperating as to have a player
win an early trick and have no more of his partner's
suit to return. It is surprising, as well as deplorable, the
number of seasoned players that would open the King of
Diamonds against a No Trump bid, with the hand fol-
lowing:
A 10 9 5
V A K 6
* Q J9
* Q 10 7
South having secured the contract for one No Trump,
West opens the King and Ace of Diamonds and then
dears the suit. It is apparent that the Declarant must
UNDERLEADING
make nine tricks and the game, by setting up the Clubs
before West's Spade reentry is established. If West leads
the eight, his fourth best Diamond, South wins with the
nine and starts the Clubs. East wins with the King and
returns the Diamond, permitting West to run off five
tricks in the suit.
Playing in a match game and not holding a reentry, I
led low from a seven-card suit headed by the Ace-King.
Dummy went down with the Queen-ten-seven. The De-
clarant finessed the ten I would have hated the guess in
his position and my partner held the Jack and one low
card. The result was that we took in seven tricks, when
two tricks would have been our meed with a high lead.
A good rule to follow, when in doubt on original
openings, is to take every chance in underleading when
playing against a No Trump declaration and adopt the
contrary course against a suit make.
It is usually bad play to make an original opening from
a suit headed by an Ace or King, when playing against
a trump make, although it shows a want of intelligence to
argue that it should never be done. Often the hand does
not contain a desirable opening lead, and the player must
choose between a number of leads, all of which are opened
at a disadvantage. It can well be that the lead of a low
card from four to the King is easily the best lead that
some particular hand affords. The player should bear in
inind, however, that it is only on original openings that
strict conventions as to the leads, should be followed.
After the play has progressed to a certain point, it is very
often good strategy to play in direct variance to the
generally accepted standards. With the Dummy exposed,
the Declarant apparently reluctant to start the suit that
appears the obvious one, the Partner's cards an unknown
9 Q LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
quantity because he has not bid or obtained the lead,
then the leader may be quite justified in making an un-
orthodox lead.
To underlead an Ace, with the King exposed in the
dummy, may be the one chance to save the game. I have
even lead a low card from the King4ow, through the
Dummy's holding of the Ace-Queen-low and saved the
game, because the Declarant hopped up with the Ace.
There is little doubt, but that the Declarant fully in-
tended to take the finesse later on in the hand, but when
the play was thrown at him in this way, he had sudden
qualms and decided upon a finesse in another suit that
unfortunately for him proved unsuccessful.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THROWING THE LEAD
PLAYING for position is almost as important at
Bridge as at Chess or Checkers. At the latter
games, having "the move 5 * is often the difference
between winning or losing. At Bridge, even the player
with mediocre ability, knows that many close games can
be won by forcing the enemy to take the lead at an end
position and play away from a guarded honor.
It is infinitely more difficult when a play of this char-
acter must be made early in the hand. Having a choice
of ten or eleven cards to lead from, it seems that a player
might find at least one that would permit of a dignified
exit, but at times it just cannot be done. Even when there
is a way of escape, it may be so obscured that the player
does not see it and so a game is won by giving the op-
ponents an opportunity to make a mistake. When a De-
clarant is in a position, where he must play at a disad-
vantage, irrespective of what suit he broaches, then he
assuredly cannot lose by saddling the lead on an oppo-
nent and permitting him to do the guessing. Even an ex-
pert may go wrong.
On the following hand, the lead was thrown to await
developments, but the unfortunate West player was so
deeply morassed that he could not extricate himself:
92 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A K 6
A K Q 10 7 5
4 A Q J
* 10 2
West was the dealer and started off with a bid of three
Spades. This was a proper preemptive bid and while the
contract would have been defeated, the loss would have
been justifiable. Unless the partner can produce a trick or
two, the game will doubtless be lost. With fair support
from the partner, game at Spades is possible. North and
East passed the Spade bid, but South went to four Hearts
and that bid secured the contract. West was hard put for
a good opening lead, but finally elected to lead the eight
of Hearts right up to the Declarant. While this was the
best lead as the cards lay, many good players object to
putting the partner "under the hammer." After winning
the first trick, South took three rounds of trumps and led
a low Club. The low club was a better lead than the ten,
because if West holds a guarded honor in the suit and not
more than three cards, the game can be won by taking
the double finesse. The play of the eight the first time
THROWING THE LEAD 93
would force out one honor and South would lead the
ten on the next round, overtaking with the Jack in
dummy. All this would be useless if West held two or
three cards and covered an honor led. However, when
West played the lone King on the two, it looked like a
forlorn hope. The only remaining chance was to permit
West to hold the trick. Much to West's disgust he was
again in the lead and this time he led a low Diamond,
doubtless the best lead he had. South won with the Jack
and now can count West's holding without difficulty. To
justify his original Spade bid of three without the King
or the Jack, he must have held seven cards in the suit,
which leaves him with but two Diamonds remaining. The
Ace and a low Diamond plows him back in the lead and
now he is compelled to play the Spades and free the
King for the game-going trick. It is hardly necessary to
point out that if the Declarant had won the first Club
trick with the Ace, that his contract would have been de-
feated for one trick, because, when the Diamond finesse
lost to the King, West would have at once returned the
Diamond and eventually have made two tricks in Spades,
while East must take one trick in Clubs. That a sharp
player might have jumped up Second Hand with a holding
of King and a low Club is not impossible. In such
event the logical and best continuation, after the King is
allowed to hold, would be the low Club. Dummy would
win with the Ace and as West could then hold but two
Diamonds, the Ace and a low Diamond would still put
him in the lead with nothing left in his hand but Spades.
The King of Diamonds is always marked in the West
hand, both from the bidding and his continued refusal to
lead the suit.
94 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Another hand where a player could have gotten out of
a trying situation by throwing the lead is the following:
* 9 4
* QS
* 10 8 7 3
* K J S 3 2
* A 8 7
V AK J 7 64
4 A4 2
* 8
NORTH
SOUTH
* 3
V 9 2
* KQ J 9 6 5
* Q 10 9 7
A KQJio652
V 10 8 3
^
* A 6 4
West strained a point by preempting this hand with a
bid of four Hearts, but South, nothing daunted, went to
four Spades, which was doubled by West. The King of
Hearts was opened and followed with the Ace. Now West
tries to make the Ace of Diamonds but the Declarant
trumps it, ruffs the third Heart with the nine of Spades
and leads the last trump in the dummy. West wins with
the Ace and leads another Heart which South ruffs and
leads out all the trumps. With three cards remaining un-
played, South holds three Clubs, North two Clubs and
the ten of Diamonds and East has three Clubs, the King
of Diamonds and a discard to make on the last trump !
The squeeze is unescapable and the Declarant must make
his doubled contract.
While the hand is neatly played by South, he would
THROWING THE LEAD 95
have been defeated two tricks, if he had had to contend
against perfect defensive play. When West wins the first
trick, the play of the Ace followed by another trump
would have been fatal to the Declarant. Such play, how-
ever, would have been unsound as the Club suit, as far
as West knows, may be solid against him, and afford
South one or two valuable discards, after the trumps are
drawn. The proper play at the second trick, would have
been the low trump. This play would have obtained the
same result, but without the attending danger. West holds
command of the trump suit and must secure the lead be-
fore the Declarant can do any damage. If the Heart
ruff is played for, West wins the trick and takes dummy's
last trump without relinquishing the lead. Should South
clear the trumps, East will discard a Heart, so that his
partner can count the suit on the second round.
Throwing the lead with a low trump, is the outstanding
defense of this hand.
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE QUITTER
IF there is a more exasperating player at the Bridge
table than the one who is ready to acknowledge de-
feat the instant he picks up a poor hand, I have yet
to meet him. That the partner may hold a fighting hand
is immaterial 'half of the team is licked before a bid is
made or a card is played. When the spineless player hap-
pens to be in the lead towards the end of the hand, he
will fume and fret before he gives out the gladsome tid-
ings: "It doesn't make any difference what I play, the
game is lost." It seems to me that it would be far better
to lay down the hand and concede the balance of the
tricks. Very often the occasion arises where the game is
hopelessly lost unless some bizarre and unconventional
play is essayed. When such a position comes up, my ad-
vice is to "take a chance/* or throw up the hand.
THE QUITTER
97
496532
4 AKQ J
#
A KJ
* K43
* 96
* KQ 86 5 3
4
10 7 4
% 4 AQ 10
* 7 5
* 87 S 3 2
# A 9 2
NORTH
SOUTH
^ t
874
A Q J 10 8 6 2
^ 10 4
* J
On this hand North bid a Diamond and South went
the limit with four Hearts. The Clubs were opened and
the second round was ruffed by the Declarant. Dummy
was put in with a Diamond and the Heart finesse was lost
to the King. West now led another Club, with the remark:
"It makes no difference ." Either a Spade or Diamond
lead would have set the contract two tricks instead of
losing the game and rubber. It should be apparent to
West that the Declarant must have six Hearts and four
Diamond tricks and the game cannot be saved unless
East holds the Ace of Spades. East's reply to his part-
ner's indignant: "You surely didn't expect me to lead
away from the King-Jack of Spades," was quite to the
point: "Either that, 4 or throw up the hand."
A hand where the small cards were of vital importance
was the following:
LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
K J 4
J 9 6
A K Q 8
J94
A 8 6 5 2
^ KQ743
* J6
* A Q
NORTH
SOUTH
A Q 10 7 3
8
4 10 7 5 4 3 2
* 7 S
A A 9
V A 10 5 2
* 9
# K 10 8 6 3 2
North had the deal and bid a Diamond. South secured
the contract for one No Trump and West opened the
four of Hearts. The very first play made by the Declar-
ant decided the result of the game. On the rule of eleven,
East can hold but one card that will beat the four. Should
it be an honor, the game should be easy. If not an honor,
then the game can only be won by playing the nine or
Jack from dummy. Nothing can be lost by such play, no
matter how the balance of the suit happens to lie with
the opponents. Playing on the presumption that "It makes
no difference," the Declarant played the six and the
eight forced the ten. When West got in with the Queen
of Clubs the King of Hearts was led and permitted to
hold. The Queen then drove out the Ace and West again
secured the lead with the Ace of Clubs and made the
rest of the Hearts, taking in five tricks. If a high Heart
is played from dummy on the first trick the Declarant
THE QUITTER
99
must stop the suit three times and cannot be prevented
from making ten tricks.
While it seems that capital punishment might be a bit
drastic for misplaying the above hand, I am. sure no
condemnation would be too severe for the player who
was penalized, instead of making the game on this deal:
* 9 7 5 3
* 63
4 J 10 9 7 4
* K Q
* J 8 2
^ J 9
+ Q6 3
* J .10 9 7 3
A 10 6 4
K 10 7 5
> 85
* 8 5 4 2
4 A KQ
A Q 8 42
4 A K2
* A 6
South dealt very capably and started the ball rolling
with two No Trumps. West was not interested, but North,
a player of the old school, put in an atrocity in the way
of three Diamonds. South went to three No Trumps and
North subsided, though somewhat reluctantly.
The opening lead of the Jack of Clubs was won by the
Queen and the Jack of Diamonds was led from dummy.
If the Queen is with East, the Declarant will make nine
tricks and game, whether East covers or not. For obvious
reasons, East did not cover and West won the trick
clearing the Clubs on the next lead. Of course, the Declar-
TOO LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
ant now has the Diamond suit blocked by his Ace-King
and wiggle and squirm as he will, eight tricks are the
maximum number that he can gather in. If the Declarant,
who really was a better player than might be inferred
from his play of this hand, had been a bit less somnolent,
he could have made twelve tricks for a Small Slam,
against any line of defensive play by the opponents. The
first trick should have been overtaken by the Ace of
Clubs, so as to keep a sure card of reentry In the dummy.
While the South hand has reentries galore, the North
hand has but a single one, and this precious ewe lamb
should be fervently guarded. After winning the first Club
trick, the Declarant should have cashed in the three
Spades, leaving the thirteener good in dummy. Now the
Ace-King and low Diamond puts West in with the Queen
and the Club continuation leaves nothing for the Declar-
ant to do, but take the Heart finesse on the twelfth trick.
Most likely it would not have been necessary to take that
finesse, as West would have probably switched the lead
to a Heart on the presumption that if the partner did not
have a trick in that suit the slam could not be saved.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFENSIVE BIDS
WHILE the ramifications of Auction Bridge are
varied and numerous, there are after all but
three main lines that must be thoroughly mas-
tered, if the player wishes to avoid the pitfalls that
are always ready to catch the unwary.
The Original Bid, the Forced Bid and the Secondary
Bid, have three distinct meanings and the thinking player
who refuses to arbitrarily adopt a convention, unless he
knows the reason why, can unhesitatingly accept the con-
clusions of the experts on these bids, because they are
unquestionably natural and logical.
Briefly, an Original Bid is one made by the dealer, or
by another player after the previous players have passed.
The minimum showing of such a bid is two quick tricks
and at least four cards in suit.
A Forced Bid is made after a previous player has bid
and may or may not have any number of quick tricks.
A Secondary Bid Is the bid made by a player who has
already passed and disclaims two tricks, unless he has
passed Third Hand.
It is with the second, that of the forced or over-call
bid, that I take exception to the writings of the "best
authorities/' Most of the text-books state that a forced
bid, must have one and a half quick tricks, with either
a trick or half a trick in the suit bid. This seems little
101
102 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
enough indeed, but notwithstnding my fear of the wrath
to come, I am in favor of lowering the standard to half
a trick or less.
A hard and fast mechanical rule that shows certain
values is a fine thing and in the great majority of cases
will prove a sure winner. In times of stress, however, the
individual judgment of the player should be permitted
full sway and the endeavor to hamper him with restricting
rules will only tend to work harm.
I played lately with a well known writer whose books
are widely read. After the opponent had bid, my partner
made a forced bid that reeked to the skies. The quick
trick value of his hand was of such an infinitesimal frac-
tion, that it had best be ignored. The bid, however, proved
a winner, as we saved the game at a slight penalty. I
mentioned something insinuatingly about the one and a
half quick tricks necessary for a forced bid, but his dep-
recatory reply was as expected: "exceptional case most
exceptional."
The one great danger the forced bidder assumes is
that the partner will mark him with certain values and
double the opponents. If the partner has at least given
one assist before doubling, then the player without a
quick trick can go on with his bid; but, when the partner
does not assist, then there is nothing to do but suffer
in silence. And the book-writers are to blame for this
state of affairs the insidious one and a half quick-
trickers. I believe, after a forced bid, the partner should
never double unless he can defeat the make with his cards
alone. Otherwise, he should give his partner all the as-
sists that his hand is worth and permit the partner to do
the doubling if he can. Some time ago I bid two Clubs
>ver a one Heart bid. Third Hand jumped to three Hearts
DEFENSIVE BIDS
103
and my partner doubled. Had I known that my partner
held five Clubs to the Ace as well as five Hearts to the
Queen I would have rebid the Clubs and made the
game. The enemy made their contract and iny partner
eyed me deep disdain as she reproached me with: "part-
ner, if you had had one and a half quick tricks " I could
only bow my head in shame.
I wonder what the advocates of the one and a half
quick tricks would do, if they held the South cards' on
the following deal: x
* K 9
V A Q 8 3
* K Q J 10 7
NORTH
SOUTH
Q J 10 8 5 3
4 J 10 7 6 4
* 9
This hand was played in a duplicate game. West had
the deal and bid a Club and I, sitting South, eventually
landed the contract at four Spades doubled. The Clubs
were opened and the second round ruffed. The Queen of
Spades was led and West clattered up with the King,
thereby catching the partner's Ace, together with sundry
other things that I cannot dwell upon here. However, the
104 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TW<
play meant nothing, ten tricks must be made against pei
feet defense and the unlucky "guess" of West cost mere!
an extra trick.
At another table, South bid up to five Spades an<
was doubled, but again West refused to be "underfed 1
and hopped up with King, only to meet with disaster
Of course, the East and West players can make five ode
at either Clubs or No Trumps, but that result is prob-
lematical, while the penalty seems assured. It is a clos<
question whether East's great length in Clubs does not
make it seem that a return to Clubs would prove more
lucrative than the four Spade double, but if the bid gets
to five Spades, the double can hardly be rescued.
To get back to our motif of quick tricks on forced bids,
does it seem plausible that any ranking bridge-player
would refrain from bidding the South cards because of
the lack of quick tricks? If it is generally conceded that
South should bid, then why is it broadcasted far and wide
that a forced bid must have one and a half quick tricks?
I am quite willing to admit that, for the ordinary normal
hand, this quick-trick requirement is sound. But, owing
to the vast number of recurring exceptions, an arbitrary
rule is too misleading.
Another moot point that bothers many players, is the
dividing line between a Major suit and a No Trump bid.
When the player has the choice between these two bids,
it is conceded that the Major suit is the safer bid. But,
again, a number of the writers qualify their choice by
stating that unless the suit contains at least two honors,
it is better to bid the No Trump.
In my opinion, the number of honors held are of far
less importance than the distribution, or the general
make-up of the hand. When the hand contains a singleton,
DEFENSIVE BIDS
105
or has two suits stopped but once, or one suit without
any stopper, then the suit bid should be given the pref-
erence, even if it contains but one high honor.
The following hand was played at twelve tables of
duplicate at the Raymond Club. At three tables only was
the game made and the puzzle is to find out how many
South players, as dealer, bid Spades and how many No
Trumps :
* J 10 3
* Q J 72
* 10 8
* A 9 6 2
K4
9 8 5
J 8 4
K Q J 7 4
NORTH
SOUTH
* Q 8 S
A 10 6 3
+ 953
* Q 10 7
A
A A 9 7 6 2
K4
4 A 6 2
* K 5 3
At No Trump, against the best defense, it was quite
an achievement to make the odd trick. At Spades, the
third Diamond was ruffed, the double finesse taken in.
Spades and the losing Club discarded on the Heart. The
only play of importance required to land the game at
Spades, was contingent upon the West player switching
to a Club lead. In that event the trick was won by the
King and a Heart set up in Dummy before the Ace of
Clubs reentry was taken out of the hand.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
FAVORING CHANCES
"IT "IT THEN the declarer holds six cards of a suit
\/\/ headed by the Queen, Jack, ten, and the
T T dummy holds four cards of that suit, includ-
ing the Ace, should a finesse be taken against the King,
or is it better to lead the Queen and if Second Hand does
not cover, to play the Ace and trust that the King will
fall?
This question has been a source of considerable worry
to a player, who agreed to leave the matter to me for a
decision provided I ruled in his favor. At any rate, he
writes me that I am all wrong in saying that the finesse
is the correct play. His contention is that with ten cards
in the combined hands and one played by the opponent,
there are but two cards of the suit missing and the
chances are at least equal that Fourth Hand holds the
King without a guard, in which case it will fall under the
Ace. In the specific hand under discussion, that was the
actual distribution and the play of the Ace would have
won the game hence the argument.
When a situation of this kind presents itself, there is
often something in the bidding or play that will act as
a guide to the best procedure. When this is not the case,
as in the instance cited, then the law of average must be
adhered to. With three cards outstanding, the chances are
greatly in favor of two being in one hand and one in
106
FAVORING CHANCES
107
the other. Of course, the hand holding two cards has
double the chance to hold any certain card. If Fourth
Hand holds the two cards, then the finesse will not incur
a loss, as the King must make. If Second Hand holds the
two cards, the percentage favors the finesse. Should the
three cards be in the Second Hand, then the finesse is a
winner. The only chance to gain by playing the Ace is,
if but one card is in the Fourth Hand and that card is the
King. To sum up, the chances in favor of the finesse are,
mathematically, 207 to 112.
Taking advantage of the law of chances and paying
close attention to the bidding was largely responsible for
landing the game in the following hand:
* 9
V K, Q 10 6 3
4 AK J 5
* Q8 5
* 52
* A 9 7 5 4
+ 632
* J 10 6
NORTH
4 K Q 10 8 6 4
J8
* Q8 7
* A 4
* AJ73
V 2
* 10 9 4
* K 9 7 3 2
North had the deal and bid a Diamond. Even with
the modern style of bidding, most players would prefer
the Heart bid. East bid a Spade and South a No Trump.
io8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
West passed, North now showed the Hearts, East went
to two Spades and South called two No Trumps. North
persisted with three Hearts to show he had a real bid,
East passed and South called three No Trumps, which
closed the bidding. The Spade was opened and the Queen
was permitted to hold the first trick. The eight of Spades
was won by the Jack and 'a low Club led. South reasoned
that East could not hold both the Ace of Clubs and the
Ace of Hearts, or he would have doubled the contract.
But which Ace was in the West hand was entirely a
guess. As West held but two Spades, marked both by
the play of the five and two as well as by the bidding, the
chances were that he held length in Hearts. If so, the
chances also favored his holding the Ace of Hearts. The
importance of at once taking out East's cards of re-
entry was paramount* The reason that South did not win
the first round of Spades was, that if West held the
Ace of Clubs, he probably would not have another Spade
to lead to his partner. However, East took the Queen of
Clubs with the Ace and cleared the Spades. South now
led the Heart and West playing low, dummy won with
the Queen. The Club was then led and the ten permitted
to win Fourth Hand. It is apparent that this was the cor-
rect play, as the Club in dummy is the only reentry
that permits South to get in his hand to bring in the suit.
On West's Diamond lead, North puts up the King and
leads the Club for three tricks in that suit. The last three
cards that South held were two Diamonds and the seven
of Spades. East held the Queen and eight of Diamonds
and the King of Spades. To guard his Queen of Dia-
monds, he was forced to disgorge on the Clubs, two good
Spades and the Jack of Hearts. South diagnosed the situa-
tion correctly and ploughed him in the lead with the
FAVORING CHANCES
109
Spade, compelling him to lead "up to the tenace in Dia-
monds for the game-going trick.
The student will note that while this hand can be
played so that East and West can take in but one trick
in Clubs by leading a low Club from the North hand
and taking the finesse obligatory on the return the game
cannot be won that way, because South will have no way
of getting in, after his Spade reentry is taken out.
Another deal when the play was based on keeping a
certain player out of the lead, was the following:
* J7S
A J 6 4
+ 10 7 3
* K 74
49632
4 A 6 2
* A Q
NORTH
*
SOUTH
Q 10 4
83
QJ98
J95
* A K 8
K 10 9
4 K 4
* 10 8 6 3 2
South's No Trump was not overcalled and West opened
the two of Hearts, which was won by the ten. The Club
was led and the Queen was allowed to hold Second Hand.
It is obvious that the Declarant must lose at least two
tricks in Clubs and it should be equally apparent that if
East secures the lead he will probably switch to the
iro LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Diamond, a lead that would be most distasteful to
South. Unless West holds three suits of four cards each,
he should hold the Ace of Club's and can be compelled
to win both Club tricks. West continued with the Hearts
and South won with the King, so that he could finesse the
Jack in dummy on the third round. Another Club lead
was won by the Ace and the Spade shift was of no a^ail.
Three tricks in Clubs, four in Hearts and two in Spades
won the game. Winning the first Club trick with the King,
or in the event of the Ace going up on the first round,
taking the second Club trick with the King, permits East
to obtain the lead with the Jack and save the game, or
even defeat the contract.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
WHEN COUNTING COUNTS
^ ^HE reason Bridge has such a; fascination for so
. I many players, is doubtless because fine play
JL is so generously rewarded. When a player pro-
gresses to the point where he can count up an opponent's
hand almost to a certainty, then the game takes on a
glamour that is entirely foreign to most card games. The
easiest way to acquire such skill is to closely follow the
play and deductions of the leading experts, who seemingly
play some hands as though all the cards were exposed.
While it is too much to expect that every deal will lend
itself to such treatment, there are sufficient hands that
may be counted, to amply repay the student for the ex-
penditure of brain force required to become proficient
in this helpful art. That card-reading is somewhat more
of an exact science than is generally supposed, can be
readily seen by proper application to the following hands:
in
VOLUME TWO
f. .. ' * yi "t 4 '*'- ?
: ,..>,; V*-.
V<'' .",'., i';. r 5 .'.#
*,"<^ *,ft*r ,;;s
* K Q 5 4
.n;S tn. 5 ,1 No Trump. There was no fur-
-.1 \V<r>* o^^cU the &ix of Hearts, At first
". ^*AT T^r same U tay for the Declarant.
J* in tl^sbi ami Diamonds, two in Hearts
...In. **vi55 store the game*
*! f.f*rfn tables of duplicate play only
: :.?-% 4 in rfttikintcj the game. The trouble
t>f the Diamond suit
Mt!t, if he plays correctly,
th# Declarant can set the
arscl two Diamond tricks to
l*k* The general procedure,
wa* disclosed, was to take
*4 Spades. If the King had
every player would have
*iftttifft flaj% after the first Heart
*M* as Mbw*: The ten of Dia-
in
WHEN COUNTING COUNTS 113
jnonds was led, West winning with the Ace and leading
the two of Hearts. The Declarant put his hand in with
the Queen of Clubs and finessed the eight of Diamonds.
When the King of Diamonds did not drop the Queen,
the time to "count up" had arrived. West was now known
to have held nine cards in Hearts and Diamonds. If he
held exactly three Clubs, that suit would "split" and the
game was assured. He could not hold four Clubs or East
would have held seven Spades to the King-jack-ten, a
combination that would unquestionably have been bid. If
he held one or two Clubs, the discards would be most
illuminating. South took the lead with the King of Clubs,
West discarding the five of Spades, but the next Club lead
put West in difficulties. To guard his Spade King he was
forced to give up a Heart. His hand is now counted with
two Hearts, two Spades and a Diamond. He is thrown in
the lead with the Diamond and after making his two
Hearts, there is no alternative but to lead up to the
major tenace in Spades. It will be noted that the Clubs
were played so as to have North in the lead on the third
round to take the Spade finesse if thought expedient. If
West had discarded another Spade without evidencing
too much anguishhe might have made his singleton
King, but unfortunately, the standard of play has not yet
reached the heights where West could foresee what was
going to happen. In the great majority of cases, West's
play would have saved the game.
A deal where te bidding had much to do with counting
the hand required most exact play to win the game:
ii4 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* A K J 10
10
4 J 10 9 3 2
* 10 8 3
A 4
* A J 93
+ A 8 6
* AQ J 5 4
NORTH
SOUTH
\ * Q 8 7 6 3
KQ 7 5 42
* 7 2
* 9 5 ^
V 8 6
+ KQ 7 54
* K 9 6
West had the deal and bid a Spade, which North
doubled. East jumped to two Spades. A bid of three or
even four Spades by East would have been better. Four
Spades can be made by normal play. However, South
overcalled with three Diamonds and finally secured the
contract at four Diamonds, doubled by West. The
King of Spades was opened and followed with the ten of
Hearts, which dummy won with the Ace. A low Club
put South in to ruff a Spade, and after that it seemed
very much guesswork. West's double of a bid that would
not win the game undoubled, marks him with positive
trump strength. Especially so, as he apparently has no
top card strength in Hearts or Clubs. Without five Dia-
monds his double would be very bad. With five Dia-
monds he cannot be prevented from making two tricks in
that suit anyway, so the only chance appears to be that
the Heart lead was a singleton. If his original bid was
WHEN COUNTING COUNTS 115
from a five-card suit, then he is marked with a singleton
in either Hearts or Clubs. Continuing the Club suit seems
to be the best play and when East does not echo on the
second round, it is fair to presume that the strong trump
hand will be forced. On the fourth round of Clubs, South
discards a Heart and whether West leads a trump or a
Spade, after taking the ruff, the Declarant will make his
doubled contract, losing only one Spade and two trumps.
East's judgment in leaving the double stand was not of
the best. While it is quite possible that the Diamond con-
tract may be defeated for a trick or two, the game at
Spades looks fairly safe, as the long Heart suit is a power-
ful factor of strength.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ADDED POSSIBILITIES
THERE are very few deals at Bridge where the
game can be made against any distribution of
the cards. When the opposing cards are divided
with a fair degree of normalcy, a hand may be played
conventionally and the game scored without any diffi-
culty. Holding the same cards against a slightly different
distribution the game may be impossible, or the contract
may even be badly defeated when the cards are "all
wrong." On innumerable hands the game hinges on the
probability of the adverse trumps being split, of a cer-
tain finesse standing up, or of some particular King pre-
ceding or succeeding the enemy Ace. Much in regard;
to the distribution and location of the cards may be
learned from the bidding and early play, but such infor-
mation can rarely be regarded as positive. The clever
player is always ready to change his tactics and recon-
struct his play in conformity with unexpected situations.
With the great majority of players, the success of a
close hand is nearly always predicated upon a certain line
of play. If it is "thumbs up" they think they are playing
well. When it is "thumbs down" they are sunk! The ex-
pert takes the natural games as a matter of course and
is constantly on the lookout for the added chance that
will give him the game when the circumstances are un-
propitious. On the following deal few players would go
beyond the ordinary routine to try for game on this hand:
116
ADDED POSSIBILITIES
117
A 9 8 6 4
V 6 4
* 3
* K Q J 8 6 4
* J
y Q 10 8 2
+ K 10 9 6 2
* A 7 3
NORTH
SOUTH
K Q 2
9 3
A8 54
10 9 5 2
A A 10 7 5 3
AK J7S
* Q J 7
South had the deal and bid a Spade. It may seem to
many players that Hearts would be a better bid but
the tendency now among the ranking players is to always
bid the highest of two Major suits, when holding proper
values, even if the lower suit is considerably stronger.
The idea is, that, when the second suit is bid, the partner
can go back to the first suit without increasing the con-
tract, while if he prefers the second he can simply pass.
When there is no further bidding and therefore no oppor-
tunity to show the second suit, the game should usually
be easy. With this hand West bid two Diamonds and
North jumped to three Spades, trying to prevent the
Hearts from being shown. With four trumps and the long
Club suit, a jump bid was good strategy. East, nothing
daunted, went to four Diamonds and South called four
Spades. It should be noted that his partner's jump bid
prevented South from showing his Hearts. Under the cir-
n8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
cumstances a Heart bid, which would give valuable in-
formation to the opponents, would have been bad play.
South's bid was passed all around and the six of Dia-
monds was opened and won by the Ace. East then led
the two of Spades, undoubtedly his best play. The lead
of a high trump could hardly gain and might easily lose
a trick. South won with the Ace and returned the trump
on the hope that they were evenly divided, in which case
he would win the game by setting up the Clubs. This
line of play set the contract for two tricks. A better play
would have been to have tried for the Hearts. Of course
the third round would have been overruffed by East, and
the play of his last trump would have set the hand for
one trick. However, if the Declarant had played the hand
with allowance for the added possibility that neither the
trumps nor Hearts would break, he still could make the
game on this hand. East's play on the first trick of the
Ace of Diamonds, as well as the bidding, marks the King
of that suit with West. When South takes the second
trick, he should have played the Queen of Diamonds and
upon West's cover with the King, trump in dummy. (If
West refuses to cover, a Heart discard is taken.) South
regains the lead with a Heart and discards dummy's last
Heart on the Jack of Diamonds. Now, a losing Heart is
ruffed, the Ace being retained, and the King of Clubs
led. Not succeeding in getting a cover with the Ace, South
must ruff and play another low Heart and again trump
in dummy. East will overtrump and draw the last trump
but the rest of the tricks are safe for Declarant. Two
Spades and one Daimond are the maximum that can be
made against perfect defense.
When a deal comes along that has but one added chance
ADDED POSSIBILITIES
119
to land the game, it is vitally important to have a speak-
ing acquaintance with the A. C.
442
V AQ7S3
+ 853
* J 62
A Q 10 8 5
K 10 6
+ K 9 7
* 984
NORTH
t * K 9 6
* Q 10 6
* 10 7 5 3
* AJ 73
V 8 4
+ AJ 4 *
* A KQ
South dealt and bid a No Trump, which North over-
called with two Hearts. On North's normal distribution,
I would prefer to pass partner's No Trump. South went
to two No Trumps, which secured the contract. The five
of Spades was opened and the King went to the Ace.
The Declarant led a Heart, finessing the Queen, and fol-
lowed with the Ace. West played the King under the
Ace as South could not hold the Jack. Not only would
the Jack block the suit in dummy but the bid of two
No Trumps probably denied a holding of three Hearts
to a Jack, of the partner's Major suit bid. West's play
permitted East to obtain the lead with the Jack of Hearts
and lead through the guarded honor in Spades, setting
120 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the contract one trick. South's play was very bad as,
when the Queen of Hearts held, an immediate switch to
the Diamonds would have given him eight tricks for his
contract, and perfect play would have won the game. The
opening lead of the five, with three low Spades in sight^
marks West with only a four-card suit. The four of
Hearts should be led and West's six underplayed with
the five in dummy. The opponents should be given every
opportunity to make a mistake. However, East would
overtake the trick with the nine, if he were awake, and
lead the nine of Spades through, picking up three tricks
in that suit. After the three Spades and one Heart trick
the requiem would be in order. Declarant would get in on
the next lead and finesse the Queen of Hearts for the
balance of the tricks. The added possibility would mean
the game.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
INFERENCES THAT WIN
WINNING play at Auction Bridge is as much a
matter of good defensive tactics on the part
of the opponents of the Declarant, as it is
correct play by the other side. When certain cards are
definitely located by the bidding, it does not require ex-
ceptional merit to lead the one and only card that is
capable of saving the game. Very often the information
is of a negative nature and entirely inferential. The player
who habitually reads such situations correctly is the
one who derives the greatest amount of enjoyment out of
the game and quickly acquires the reputation of being
a clever player.
At the Canadian Championships played at Toronto,
one of the most innocuous looking hands was productive
of the greatest variation. Game for the East and West
players seemed a rather simple procedure at every table
but two. At these two tables the North and South pairs
scored, by defeating the contract, which was of material
assistance in making a net plus score on the North and
South' cards. Mrs. Irene Haultain, playing with the
writer, made a plus of 1040 points, leading the second
pair by 600 points. The next eleven pairs each turned in
scores registering a net minus. It must be admitted that
the bidding and play of the following hand shows nothing
remarkable or brilliant. In fact, it appeared so prosaic that
121
122 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
eleven tournament players seemed to think that there
was but one way to play it.
* 8 5 3
V K jo 8 7
4 2
* KQ J 9 5
* AQ J 9 6
* J 9
4 A 10 7 6
* 10 4
NORTH
SOUTH
4 K 10 4
V A 6 3
4 K J 9 84
* 73
\
472
Q 5 4^
* Q 5 3
* A 8 6 2
South dealt and passed, West bid a Spade and North
overcalled with two Clubs. At my table East jumped to
three Spades and I at the South position, ventured to
four Clubs. This was one trick more than we could make,
but West went to four Spades and bought the contract.
The King of Clubs was opened and followed with the
Queen. At the third trick the crux of the deal had ar-
rived. It was apparent that the Clubs could not be con-
tinued and a switch was in order. At some tables the
trump was led to throw the lead. This enabled the De-
clarant to set up a Diamond and discard the losing Heart.
At most of the tables, however, North switched to the
singleton Diamond on the premise that the game was lost
INFERENCES THAT WIN 123
unless partner held the Ace. If this were so, the second
Diamond would be ruffed and the game saved at once.
In fact, at two tables the Diamond switch was made at
the second trick, permitting the enemy to make eleven
tricks. Careful consideration of the bidding precludes the
probability of the Ace of Diamonds being in the South
hand, even though the Club bid was raised from two to
four. If South held the Ace of Diamonds in addition to
the four Clubs headed by the Ace, which is marked in the
hand, an original bid would have been made instead of a
pass. The importance of showing two sure tricks, first or
second hand, when it is at all feasible is too valuable a
convention to be ignored. Should the Declarant hold both
the Ace and Queen of Diamonds, then the game is prob-
ably lost against any defense, but the best chance is to
endeavor to set up a trick in Hearts before the Diamonds
are established. Mrs. Haultain, at the third trick led a low
Heart, which was taken by the Ace and four rounds of
Spades were played, but a Diamond discard was not forth-
coming. The Declarant had no guide to the Diamonds and
holding nine cards of the suit, he naturally played for the
break, as a losing finesse would mean a losing Heart and
a lost game. West led the ten of Diamonds hopefully.
He played the King in dummy and returned the Jack
expectantly. Not obtaining a cover, he went up with the
Ace and the joy of life, was turned to bitterness.
A hand where the Declarant was in a position to force
the game against natural defense, provided he did not
make an early careless play, illustrates the ever occurring
situation, where the importance of throwing the lead is
just as valuable as it is to obtain it:
122 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
eleven tournament players seemed to think that there
was but one way to play it.
* 8 5 3
K 10 8 7
4 2
* KQJ9S
AQ J 9 6
J9
A 10 7 6
10 4
NORTH
SOUTH
* K 10 4
V A 6 3
4 K J 9 8 4
* 7 3
4 7 2
V Q 5 4 2
* Q 5 3
* A 8 6 2
South dealt and passed, West bid a Spade and North
overcalled with two Clubs. At my table East jumped to
three Spades and I at the South position, ventured to
four Clubs. This was one trick more than we. could make,
but West went to four Spades and bought the contract.
The King of Clubs was opened and followed with the
Queen, At the third trick the crux of the deal had ar-
rived. It was apparent that the Clubs could not be con-
tinued and a switch was in order. At some tables the
trump was led to throw the lead. This enabled the De-
clarant to set up a Diamond and discard the losing Heart.
At most of the tables, however, North switched to the
singleton Diamond on the premise that the game was lost
INFERENCES THAT WIN 123
unless partner held the Ace. If this were so, the second
Diamond would be ruffed and the game saved at once.
In fact, at two tables the Diamond switch was made at
the second trick, permitting the enemy to make eleven
tricks. Careful consideration of the bidding precludes the
probability of the Ace of Diamonds being in the South
hand, even though the Club bid was raised from two to
four. If South held the Ace of Diamonds in addition to
the four Clubs headed by the Ace, which is marked in the
hand, an original bid would have been made instead of a
pass. The importance of showing two sure tricks, first or
second hand, when it is at all feasible is too valuable a
convention to be ignored. Should the Declarant hold both
the Ace and Queen of Diamonds, then the game is prob-
ably lost against any defense, but the best chance is to
endeavor to set up a trick in Hearts before the Diamonds
are established. Mrs. Haultain, at the third trick led a low
Heart, which was taken by the Ace and four rounds of
Spades were played, but a Diamond discard was not forth-
coming. The Declarant had no guide to the Diamonds and
holding nine cards of the suit, he naturally played for the
break, as a losing finesse would mean a losing Heart and
a lost game. West led the ten of Diamonds hopefully.
He played the King in dummy and returned the Jack
expectantly. Not obtaining a cover, he went up with the
Ace and the joy of life, was turned to bitterness.
A hand where the Declarant was in a position to force
the game against natural defense, provided he did not
make an early careless play, illustrates the ever occurring
situation, where the importance of throwing the lead is
just as valuable as it is to obtain it:
124 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
986532
4 K 10 2
* QJ7 5
A A K 097
K 4
* AJ S3
* 63
>*ORTH
SOUTH
A 10 8 6 5 2
4 09864
* K 10 9
* J43
V A Q J 10 7
+ 7
* A 8 4 2
South bid a Heart, West a Spade and North jumped
to four Hearts. North was quite correct in surmising that
game at Spades is almost a certainty for the enemy. East
properly went to four Spades, South called five Hearts
which was doubled by West and all passed. Even with
the cards exposed it looks as if the contract mu&t be set
for a trick one Heart, one Diamond and one Club going
to the opponents. The Spade was opened and ruffed in
dummy. To try for the trumps before the Clubs would be
a fatal error. The Queen of CluSs lead, covered by the
King and Ace, must be followed by the Diamond. West
should hop up with the Ace and play another Spade,
which is again ruffed and a trump led. East showing out,
the trick is taken with the Ace and the last Spade ruffed
in dummy. Now the Diamond King affords a Club dis-
card, the last Diamond is led and ruffed and the Club puts
dummy in with the Jack. Having eliminated everything
INFERENCES THAT WIN 125
from the hands but trumps and Clubs, West is put in the
lead with the King of Hearts. North holds two Clubs and
a trump while South is down to two trumps and one Club.
Whether West leads a Spade or a Diamond, the Dummy
ruffs with the last trump while South discards his losing
Club. It is obvious that the game is impossible if the mis-
take is made of at once leading the trumps. Unless West is
a "geek," he will cash in his King of trumps when 'he is
in with the Ace of Diamonds and so prevent the Declarant
from compelling him to take the lead when the stage is
all set for the final coup.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
FORCING THE ISSUE
WHEN the natural play of a hand cannot net
enough tricks to win the game, it is incumbent
upon the Declarant to try some other method
that may achieve better results. Very often the player
knows exactly what he would like to do, but for various
reasons, he is unable to accomplish his purpose.
A deal played in a duplicate team match, which was
bid precisely alike at both tables, contained all the ele-
ments of this interesting situation. At one table the player
took a chance that the opponents would err in their de-
fense, while at the other table, the issue was forced against
the best procedure on the part of the adversaries.
That the result of the match depended upon the play
of this hand made the deal of particular interest.
126
FORCING THE ISSUE
127
A K 7 6 4
K 10 4 2
South was the dealer and bid a Spade, which West
passed and North overcalled with two Clubs. After East
passed, South bid two No Trumps and secured the con-
tract. The opening lead was the six of Clubs, which was
won in dummy with the nine. To bring in the Club suit is
Impossible without a card of reentry, so the Queen of
Diamonds is led and successfully finessed. East covered
the Jack of Diamonds on the next lead, trusting that the
ten might be with his partner. The novice should note that
this is proper play. Nothing can be gained by covering
the Queen on the first lead, when the Jack is in sight with
the opponent. If the singleton Ace is with the partner,
the cover will prove disastrous. While the .partner may not
be able to beat the Queen, he may still hold the ten and
the Jack must be covered with that possibility in view.
After the Declarant took three Diamond tricks, being
careful to leave the high Diamond in dummy, he pro-
128 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
ceeded to establish the Clubs. Should West when in the
lead with the fourth round of Clubs, play anything but a
Heart, the game will be won. Or, if East discards one of
the Hearts, either to protect his Spades or as a "come-on"
for the Hearts, the game may still be landed. Against ex-
pert defense, neither of these contingencies took place.
East discarded three Spades and West batted off his
Hearts, starting with the Ace and following with the
Queen, holding the Declarant down to eight tricks. While
South recognized the fact that there was a game in the
hand, with the King of Spades in the E^st position, he
could only bemoan the unkind fate that did not put a
single Spade in the North hand for a lead through the
King.
The play at the other table was precisely the same up
to the point where three rounds of Diamonds had been
played and the Club led through. West, of course, played
the Jack and dummy won with the King. Right here the
Declarant stopped to delve a bit into the intricacies of
distribution possibilities. That the dangerous Heart suit
against him was probably divided four and three seemed
very likely, as the suit had not been bid, although four
honors were outstanding. If this premise was correct, then
the game could be won by forcing the opponents either
to lead the Spades or continue the Clubs. Should four
Hearts be with West and the Spade lead forced from that
hand, the game would be like manna from the Gods.
Should East lead the Spade, then the Declarant obtains
the fifty-fifty chance he is playing for. So, the lead of a
Heart from dummy, apparently the worst play in the
hand, permits the Declarant to make the game against any
defense. When the eight of Hearts was the high card
played Third Hand, West eyed the proceedings with deep
FORCING THE ISSUE
129
distrust. He refused to be ploughed in the lead with the
third round of Hearts, so he won the trick with the Queen
and at once played the Ace and nine. East made the last
two Hearts and then the Spade lead was forthcoming.
The Queen finesse won and the party was over!
A hand where the game could only be made by forcing
the opponents to make a wrong guess, might have been
saved by the perfect defense of either adversary. When
the Declarant gave them the opportunity to make a mis-
take, he did his all.
A 10
^ AJ 7S
4 Q 6
* A Q J 10 8 4
A 098432
K 4
+ A 875
* 7
NORTH
SOUTH
* Krs
Q 10 8 2
4 K 43 2
* 9 6
A A J 6
V 963
* J 10 9
* K S 3 2
South had the deal and passed. West also passed and
North bid a Club. South now went to No Trump and
secured the contract.
West led the four of Spades and East's King was taken
by the Ace. The Declarant has eight tricks easily but the
game trick is only possible if he can either set Tip a
130 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Diamond or put West in the lead and he continues the
Spades. If the six Clubs are made at once the opponents 3
discards should prove more informative to each other
than to the Declarant. Usually it is the other way around,
but on this hand, South has nothing to play for but the
Diamond. The second trick was taken by the King of
Clubs and another round was won in dummy with the
ten. Now, the six of Diamonds was led and the nine
forced the Ace. At this stage it appears to West that un-
less he cashes in the top Spade, a little slam may be made
against him. The Clubs are solid and if the Diamonds
are also established it is all over but the scoring. The play
of the Queen of Spades gives the game to the Declarant.
The East player seemed to think that his partner had
shown bad judgment in playing the top Spade, but as the
hand was played, clever tactics by East would not only
have saved the game, but have defeated the contract.
When the Diamond is led, South has already shown
up with the Ace of Spades and the King of Clubs. Having
passed originally, precludes all possibility that he could
also hold the Ace of Diamonds. East should have gone
up Second Hand with the King of Diamonds and led the
Spade through, thereby preventing -the partner from
making a natural mistake and qualifying himself for a
niche in the Hall of Fame, as a card-reader par excel-
lence.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THE NEGATION THEORY
UNLESS a player knows the fundamentals of cor-
rect bidding, many game hands will be lost' by
lack of team-work and playing at cross pur-
poses. One of the most common faults of many players is
the rescue of partners' No Trump bid in a minor suit,
when holding excellent support for the higher-ranking bid.
With an advanced score, such a procedure may be quite
proper, but at a love score, it is usually a game-losing
process.
There are players who can no more resist bidding four
honors in one hand than they can refrain from breathing.
132 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
With this hand South bid a No Trump, West passed
and North overcalled with two Clubs. There was no
further bidding and East opened the King of Spades for
the first lead. Of course, the game at Clubs was an im-
possibility, while at No Trumps it was a lay down for
four odd. That South should have bid two No Trumps is
extremely doubtful. With the partner denying top-card
strength and the original No Trump bid somewhat at-
tenuated, a bid of two might be doubled and defeated
for hundreds of points. If the rescue bid is sound, it seems
better to take a small score at Clubs than a large penalty
at No Trumps. After the hand was played, North's com-
ment was naive: "Partner, I had to bid my Clubs because
I had so many that you might be entirely void, and as I
had no card of reentry, you could never get my hand in."
This remark carries us back to our preamble regarding
the bidding fundamentals. An original No Trump should
never be bid with a void suit, and very rarely with a
singleton. A missing suit in a hand that is sufficiently
strong for a No Trump, makes the holding so powerful
at a trump make that the good players do not even con-
sider a No Trump calL On the hand in discussion, it is
very questionable whether a bid of two No Trumps by
South would have silenced his partner. Generally, when a
player is afraid that the partner has none of his suit, his
fears are not assuaged by further bidding from the
partner.
A hand played in duplicate at the Knickerbocker Whist
Club, illustrates the other side of this argument when a
minor suit take-out is justifiable. I am ashamed to state
how many players went back to their No Trumps with
dire results.
THE NEGATION THEORY
133
852
J 6 2
4
QJ96S2
A Q 10 7 6 4
V 10 8 3
* 10 3 2
* 8 4
NORTH
SOUTH
* K 93
V A 94
* QJ97
* 10 7 3
A AJ
V KQ7S
* A K 8 6 5
* A K
South had the deal and bid a No Trump, which West
passed and North took out with two Clubs. Where South
went on with the No Trump, North thought that his
partner had enough Clubs to bring in the suit and sub-
sided. If South had held a low Club with his Ace and
King, the rebid of No Trumps would be proper, as he
holds a very strong hand. At Clubs, a small slam will be
made with the normal opening of a Diamond and five odd
tricks is in the hand against any defense. Played at two
No Trumps, the hand will be defeated for one trick by
proper opposing play. East must refuse to permit the
Declarant to make the Jack of Hearts a card of reentry
for the Club suit, by holding up the Ace until the third
round of the suit is played.
Playing a hand in actual play and replaying it at
double-dummy with all the cards exposed seems a very
134 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
different proposition and yet close application to the bid-
ding, together with the knowledge of what proper bid-
ding means, may permit a player to map out his motif
along exactly parallel lines.
A IO
V A 9 8 4 3
^8532
* 10 5 3
A 8 2
V K J 10
4 A K 10
* KQ972
NORTH
SOUTH
A K6 5
V Q 7 6
+ 974
* J 8 6 4
* A QJ 9 743'
5 2
4 Q J6
* A
This deal was played in a duplicate match and witk
precisely similar bidding and opening lead. Nevertheless,
the difference in the score was nearly six hundred points.
West was the dealer and bid a No Trump, which passed
around to South, who called two Spades. West doubled in-
formatively and East went to two No Trumps. East was
not strong enough to leave the double stand and the No
Trumps appears to have a better chance for game than
a bid of three Clubs. South doubled and all passed. It
will be noted that a double of two No Trumps is always
for business and the partner is not asked to bid. When
the partner makes a business double he assumes com-
THE NEGATION THEORY 135
mand.of that deal and his suit must be led at once, except
when the leader can retain the lead, by laying down a
winner from a top honor combination. The ten of Spades
was led and South permitted it to hold, hoping to make
every trick in the suit. Unfortunately, his partner was un-
able to come through again and switched to a Heart. The
Declarant won the trick and led a Club, which South- took
with the Ace and cleared the Spades, trusting to get in
with the Diamond to make some of his remaining Spades.
With four tricks in Clubs, two each in Diamonds and
Hearts and one in Spades, the Declarant scored three odd
one more than the doubled contract.
Where the deal was correctly played, South overtook
the ten of Spades with the Jack and cleared the suit be-
fore the Ace of Clubs was taken out of his hand. This pro-
cedure defeated the contract for three hundred points.
There was no guess-work here ! Unless West had bid a No
Trump with a singleton low Spade, North could not have
another Spade to lead. Even supposing that West was a
very poor player and bid a No Trumper regardless of
distribution, in that event he might hold only one Spade,
but why be a Shylock?
A penalty of three hundred is always better than a
poke in the eye with a rusty nail.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
T
game.
SAFETY FIRST
IME and again I have proclaimed to the eager
populace that the reward for good play at Auc-
tion Bridge is far greater than at any other card
Yet every player has often heard the trite remark so
popular and with the perennial loser, "give me my share
of the Aces and Kings and I'll take my chances with any
of the experts." If a rubber is finally lost on a really un-
fortunate "break" of the cards, this class of player quite
forgets the two or three bad plays earlier in the game,
that would have won the rubber beyond any peradventure.
A hand played in a duplicate tournament, illustrates the
tremendous difference between "guessing" and "knowing"
the proper play to make.
A K 10 6
* 65 3
4 A 10 8 2
* 9 7 5
4 Q 9
Q 10 9 8 7
* 9 4 3
* K J2
NORTH
SOUTH
A As 3
* J4*
+ J6
* 10 8 6 4 3
* J 8 74*
V A K
4 KQ75
* A Q
136
SAFETY FIRST 137
South, as dealer, bid a No Trump, West overcalling
with two Hearts. The unfortunate thing in Bridge is, that
every so often a poor bid of this kind will stand to win,
especially against weak opposition. If this bid had driven
the opponents into Spades, the hand could not have been
played badly enough to lose the game. However, South
went on to two No Trumps, which bid landed the con-
tract. The eight of Hearts was opened and the Jack forced
out the King. A low Spade was then led, and the nine
Second Hand gave the Declarant a hard "guess." If the
Ace was with West, as his bid would indicate, two rounds
of the suit could be taken before the Ace of Hearts was
forced out and that suit set up. On this reasoning the
King of Spades was played, which East won with the
Ace and cleared the Hearts. With the Hearts established,
the Declarant thought it best to abandon the Spade suit
and run with his Diamonds. The fourth round of Di-
amonds was won in dummy, West discarding the two of
Clubs, which encouraged South to finesse the Queen and
the contract was defeated one trick three Hearts, two
Spades and one Club going to the enemy.
At the next table, the hand was also played at No
Trumps and the best that could be done with the deal
was to make twelve tricks for a Small Slam.
Here the Hearts were not bid, but the suit was opened
and won as before. On the Spade lead, however, the
Declarant did not think he had a "guess." When the
nine was played, West could hold the Queen, Ace, both
or neither. I'f he held only the Ace, then East held the
Queen twice guarded and two Spade tricks must be lost.
The finesse of the ten of Spades must be the best play,
as it has an even chance to win with nothing to lose. When
the ten drove out the Ace the Heart was returned and the
I 3 8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Declarant gathered In four Spade and four Diamond
tricks, keeping the lead in dummy at the end. The last
two cards in the North hand were the six of Hearts and
the nine of Clubs. South had the Ace and Queen of Clubs,
West, much harassed, held the Queen of Hearts and the
King-Jack of Clubs, but had still a discard to make on
the last Diamond. As a matter of actual play, West dis-
gorged the Heart and the Declarant "luckily" remembered
that the six would beat the deuce. The Ace of Spades was
the only trick make against the Declarant.
Another curious slam hand played in the same match
was defeated at thirteen tables and made at only two. This
deal presented difficulties that were quite out of the
ordinary.
South dealt and properly preempted with four Hearts
two tricks more than the value of the hand. At most
SAFETY FIRST 139
tables West bid four Spades. Even if this bid is doubled
and defeated for three tricks, the loss is less than losing
a Small Slam at Hearts. North, however, bid five Hearts,
which was the correct call. After partner's bid, assisting
the Hearts was better than showing the Clubs. An initial
bid of "four" does not require length in trumps from the
partner. East in every instance but one, refrained from
doubling and the hand was played at five Hearts. The
opening lead of the King of Spades was won by the Ace
and it seems that a Grand Slam is in sight. The normal
play appears to be the lead of a low Heart, putting dummy
in with the Jack. Then a high Club, followed by a loser,
which South ruffs and draws the adverse trumps the
Ace of Diamonds being a reentry for the balance of the
Club suit. Of course, appearances are deceptive, because
East trumps the first round of Clubs and leads a Diamond,
which play clogs up the machinery so effectively that the
Declarant is thrown for a loss of two tricks, instead of
scoring the slam he had in view.
While the distribution on this deal was most unusual,
it should not have been wholly unexpected. Both the
North and South hands contain a seven-card suit, together
with a singleton. The West hand is likewise marked with
a suit of seven cards in Spades, both from the bidding and
East's play of the Jack under the Ace. If East holds a
seven-card suit it must be in Diamonds and a single-
ton Spade, he can have but five cards in Hearts and Clubs.
Should these five cards be Hearts, the result will be dis-
astrous! If, as is more likely, the suits be divided, then
nothing can be lost by playing the hand on the "safety
first" principle. South, when in on the first lead, should
play the Ace of Hearts. Unless all the missing Hearts are
in one hand, the Grand Slam is assured, and ,a Small Slam
140 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
must be made against any distribution of the cards. It
must be admitted that the Declarant had a bad moment
when West did not follow suit on the first round of Hearts,
but the ultimate result was highly agreeable and satis-
factory.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
BORDERLINE HANDS
IF every deal at Bridge presented a difficult play or a
problem hand, many of our greatest enthusiasts
would be relegated to some other card game. It is
quite true that a large percentage of the hands require
but a perfunctory knowledge to obtain very fair results.
Often a game can be made entirely by virtue of the
high cards held and it makes little difference whether the
play is good or bad. Again, a poor player may win the
game because the cards are happily placed for him, while
the expert can do no better, although with a less fortu-
nate distribution, he would still have been successful.
When, however, the game can be won by only one method
of play and lost by every other, then the skilled artist
reaps the reward for his superior skill. On the close deals
that are on the borderline where either side may win
the game or be defeated a trick the nicety of judgment
required to decide whether to go for the contract or to
double the enemy, must often be predicated upon the
ability to play the hand for the maximum. Players who
bid correctly and play the cards perfectly, seem to be
curiously favored by Providence with more than their
share of the high cards. I wonder why?
A hand that illustrates a neat point in bidding, to-
gether with a simple play that many players would not
have seen, is shown in the following hand. That the play
141
142 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
meant the difference between winning the game and rub-
ber, or being penalized for a hundred points, makes it
particularly noticeable.
A K 8
* 4
4 A J 7 3 2
* A K J 63
4 10 3
K8 53
* Q 10 9
* 10 7 5 4
NORTH
*
SOUTH
* A ] 7
V A Q J 96 2
* Q9
A Q 9 6 5 4 2
10 7
4864
* 8 2
North had the deal and bid a Club. East bid a Heart
and South a Spade, Many players would consider this last
bid unsound, but it must be borne in mind that it is not
an original bid and while it should never be made origi-
nally, after the partner's Club bid and Second Hand over-
call, its status is considerably altered. If the Ace and King
of Clubs were in South's hand, it would unquestionably
have been a sound original bid of a Spade. North having
made an opening bid, thereby showing two tricks, permits
South to visualize his hand as if his cards contained
the tricks shown by his partner. This procedure may be
of help to inexperienced players in properly valuing their
hands. West passed the Spade bid and North bid two
BORDERLINE HANDS 143
Diamonds. North shows his second suit on the reasoning
that if neither East or South can rebid, the game should
be possible at the better of his minor suits, the choice be-
ing left to his partner. East went to two Hearts, South
and West passed and North now called two Spades. This
last bid is quite illuminating. After apparently denying
partner's bid, the rebid tends to picture North's holding
almost exactly. He holds normal support in Spades, at
least three quick tricks and ten or eleven cards in the
minor suits. If South holds more than the minimum in his
suit he is asked to continue it, as there is more than a fair
chance for game at the best of the three suits shown. East
goes to three Hearts, South three Spades and West, hav-
ing in mind his partner's three unassisted calls, helps him
to four. North now bids four Spades, which East doubles
and all hands pass. The opening lead is the three of
Hearts, East winning with the Ace and returning the
Queen. West on his lead of the three is marked with
four Hearts, so the Declarant must hold one more. Ruffing
the dummy permits East to make two tricks in trumps.
The King of Spades is taken by the Ace and the Hearts
continued. South trumps and after playing the Queen of
Spades, a Club is led, but the finesse of the Jack is not
taken. If the opposing Clubs are evenly divided, the game
is won without the finesse. When the Queen falls on the
second round, the Jack of Clubs gives Declarant one
Diamond discard and if East refuses to trump with the
top Spade, another Club should be led and trumped by
South, setting up a Club in dummy for a discard of the
second losing Diamond. Of course, if East plays properly
and trumps the Jack of Clubs, the hand must be defeated,
because dummy holds but one card of reentry, and al-
though the Club suit may be cleared, it cannot be made.
144 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Instead of leading the Jack of Clubs, dummy has an
alternative play that wins the game against any defense.
A low Club should be led and ruffed by the Declarant.
East is then stuck in with the Jack of Spades and the re-
maining tricks are taken by the Declarant. Unless the
trump is led at the ninth trick, East will ruff the Jack
of Clubs when dummy gets in with the Ace of Diamonds
and the last Club cannot be used to afford a necessary dis-
card of the second Diamond.
Very often hands come up that seem to have no open-
ing for unusual or skilful play. The only chance appears
to be that the Declarant may succeed in guessing cor-
rectly. When the onus of doing the guessing can be
thrown upon the adversaries, it may be a great help in
winning the 'game.
* 8 5
10 8 6 4
+ K J 10 3
* AJ 9
A 96 3
V A 7 3
4762
* 54
NORTH
SOUTH
* QJ4
* J 9 5
* 854
* Q 6 2
\
A A 10 7
K Q
+ A Q 9
* K 10 8 7 3
South dealt and bought the contract for one No Trump.
The three of Spades was opened and the Declarant held
BORDERLINE HANDS 145
off until the third round. It is apparent that if the Queen
of Clubs can be located that ten tricks and game are in
sight. The Club can be finessed either way but there is
absolutely no guide as to the better way. If four rounds
of Diamonds are played, with the hope of getting a Club
discard from the enemy, then the finesse can only be
taken one way, because if South takes the lead with the
King of Clubs and finesses the Jack on the second round,
whether it wins or loses is immaterial, as the^Clubs are
blocked with the Ace and South has no quick reentry
card. The play of the hand was to lead the nine of Di-
amonds, overtake with the teji and lead the Jack of Clubs,
to coax a cover from East. If the cover is not forthcoming,
the better play is to go up with the King and, finesse the
nine on the return. The chances favor this ploy because
East is marked out of Spades and if the Ace o$ Hearts is
with East, the game must still be won, as West
in to bring in the Spade suit. To deliberately
the hand that holds the set-up suit in Spades
poor play, but the extra chance to permit the enemy to go
wrong should be taken. In the actual play of this deal,
East covered with the Queen, hoping to make up the
ten in partner's hand. In this instance, permitting the op-
ponent to take the first guess, won the game without
further effort.
CHAPTER THIRTY
LOCATING A CARD
THE wonderful possibilities that Bridge offers to
the thinking person are unequaled by any other
card game. Sometimes but one bid is required to
definitely locate every important card in a specific hand.
When a player has advanced to the stage where he can
take advantage of these opportunities, he is in position to
enjoy the thrill of accomplishing the seemingly impossible
and making the game on a hand in a way that appears
little short of miraculous.
In a recent duplicate match, a hand was played that ap-
parently was open to but one line of treatment. At some
tables, however, after an opening bid, the opponents in-
serted an informatory double, that paved the way for
play of exceptional brilliancy. Occasionally a double of
this kind acts precisely the same as a "business double,"
and permits a sharp player to locate certain cards and
secure the game on a hand that would be impossible with-
out the information given.
LOCATING A CARD
* J 9 4
AK9753
+ 8
* 8 5 2
462
V Q 8 4 2
* K Q 10 6
* A Q 10
NORTH
SOUTH
* 8 7 5 3
* J
+ 9543
* K 9 6 4
4 A K Q 10
V 10 6
+ AJ 7 2
* J73
South had the deal and bid a Spade. Where there was
no further bidding, the procedure was quite simple. West
opened with the King of Diamonds, which was taken by
the Ace and a low Diamond ruffed in dummy. If two
rounds of Hearts can be made, the cross-ruff will land
the game against any defense, as the adverse trumps are
all lower than those contained in the hands of Declarant
and dummy. The unfortunate distribution of the Heart
suit permitted East to trump the second round and lead
a trump, which held the contract down to eight tricks.
This was the natural and correct play of the deal on the
bidding and would land the game in the majority of
cases. Where South's Spade bid was doubled informa-
tively by West, a most helpful count of the hand was
obtained. North had the option of three things on the
double. He could pass, bid two Hearts or two Spades. To
pass would doubtless force East to show a minor suit, so
148 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
North bid two Spades, with the expectation of showing the
Hearts, if he was given another opportunity. There was
no further bidding and the King of Diamonds was tied as
before. The Diamond was returned and ruffed, but when
the King of Hearts dropped the Jack, it was time for the
Declarant to stop and do a little counting. West had
doubled the Spade bid and thereby declared certain high
card values which were pretty well marked. He could not
hold both the Ace and King of Clubs, or that suit would
have been the better opening lead. The Ace of Clubs,
however, is marked in his hand, with probably the Queen
also, but certainly the Queen of Hearts. The ten of Hearts
in South's hand precludes the possibility of a false card
by East, so the Declarant is forced to abandon all hopes
of making game on a cross-ruff. The first thing of impor-
tance is to unblock, by playing the ten of Hearts under the
King. Then four rounds of trumps are led and West must
take two discards. If he disgorges a Heart, a Small Slam
will be made against him as was actually done at one
table. Should he hold all three Hearts, he will be down to
three cards in Clubs and Diamonds. The Declarant
finesses the Heart, puts him in with the Club and after
cashing in his three tricks, he is helpless. It will be
noted that even if West has retained two Clubs, an over-
take by his partner will not better the situation. The De-
clarant, by taking full advantage of the information given
him has the predominating position .after the first card is
led.
If there is one factor that counts more towards success
at Bridge than perfect play, it is the question of judg-
ment at a critical time in the bidding. A bidder who al-
lows rank obstinacy to sway his judgment, is handicap-
ping himself to such a degree that an even break of the
LOCATING A CARD 149
cards will always find him on the losing side of the ledger.
Many players seem to honestly believe that it is "lese
Majesty" when their partners persist in bidding minor
suits against their No Trumpers. It would be interesting
to note how many good players would misbid South's
cards on this deal:
South dealt and bid a No Trump. West passed and
North called two Clubs. South went to two No Trumps
and North persisted to three Clubs. While North's re-
bid was doubtful strategy, it could hardly be called bad
play. Although he holds good No Trump support, the
missing Spade suit makes it appear that a slam may be
possible, when the partner is strong enough to bid two
No Trumps. South, however, bid three No Trumps and
all hands passed. I can see little excuse for this last bid.
If the game cannot be made at Clubs, then it is almost
ISO LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
sure to be defeated at three No Trumps. The bidding
would indicate that game is possible at either make, but
if this hypothesis is wrong, the contract at the suit make
should be made easily, while at No Trumps, it is ex-
tremely doubtful. In the play at No Trumps, South was
defeated two tricks. The Spades were opened and cleared.
The Declarant could have run to cover with his eight
tricks, but played properly in trying to sneak a Club
through, before the adversaries discovered that the Hearts
and Diamonds were solid. If he had been successful, the
game would have been made. West, however, did not
hesitate upon the order of saving the game at once by
hopping tip with the Ace and setting the contract for a
hundred points. Played at Clubs, this deal must score
twelve tricks for a Small Slam against any opposing
defense. To play every hand at its best make is probably
the strongest asset of any player.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
PLAYING AGAINST PAR
THERE are many ways of losing a close hand
and sometimes, several ways of winning it.
When there is but one way in which a hand can
be won, that method of play is very often hidden and
obscure.
It is really surprising how often players of experience
do not recognize situations that crop up time and again,
permitting the game to be forced against the best defense
of the enemy. When the winning line of play is of such
nature that it cannot lose the game, even if the cards lie
in the worst possible position, then it unquestionably is a
sad calamity to stray from the straight and narrow path
of perfect play.
The first thing that the successful player thinks of,
after obtaining the contract, is whether or not it is pos-
sible to land the game. If the game cannot be won, then
fulfilling the contract is of paramount importance. If the
average player would only pause a moment to think, he
would see how futile it is to play for an extra trick that
means but six, or at the most, ten points, when he thereby
puts the contract in jeopardy, which means a loss of fifty
points in addition to the trick score that could have been
made.
As between the choice of winning the game, or having
the contract set for a trick, I believe the player should go
after the game, if he has at least an even chance. Say the
152 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
bid is two No Trumps at a love score. Seven tricks have
been taken in and the eighth trick to fulfill the contract is
in sight. With absolutely nothing to guide the Declarant,
should he attempt a finesse that will make the game if it
proves successful, and probably lose the balance of the
tricks if it fails? Under such conditions the finesse should
usually be taken, because the game is figured as being
worth about two hundred points and, therefore, the
chances are two hundred against seventy almost three
to one in favor of the Declarant,
When a specific hand can be played in three different
ways., two of which will win the game if a certain card
lies in a fortunate position and the third will win ir-
respective of the lay of the cards, then it is self-evident
that a sound player has no choice in the matter, always
provided that he knows just how to go about playing the
hand safely. The play of the hand following illustrates
this point to a marked degree:
* 75 '3
4982
* Q i
\
A K <5 4
7X
4 K 6
A
K
Q
PLAYING AGAINST PAR 153
East had the deal and bid a Spade, which South over-
called with two Clubs. A bit of pushing by the enemy
forced South to four Clubs, after his partner had sup-
ported the Club bid. While it is apparent that the North-
South hands have a sure game at No Trumps, it is hardly
possible to play every hand at the best make. The original
Spade call by East makes it appear that the deal will play
better at a suit make, as in fact it will. The Spade was
opened and won by the Ace, South winning the second
round with the King. Three rounds of Clubs were taken,
followed by the King and six of Diamonds. When the
ten was played Second Hand, the Declarant was in a
quandary whether or not to finesse the Jack. After a mo-
ment's thought, he decided that if West held the Queen,
it would fall on the next round, so he went up with the
Ace and led back the five.
East played the eight, which South trumped but the
Queen did not fall. The dummy having still one re-
entry left, could obtain the lead to set up the long Dia-
mond, but there was no way to get in to make it, so
South was compelled to lose a trick in Spades and
Hearts, falling one short of winning the game. The
partner, as partners are prone to do, publicly expressed
his private opinion that South had played like a poor
drib. "Why not," he expostulated, "play out five rounds
of trumps instead of stopping at three rounds? East will
be squeezed and one Diamond discard is sufficient to al-
low that suit to set and win the game.**
While there is much to be said in favor of this method
of play, the deal does not hold a true squeeze position.
East would be in great distress with his discards, unless
his partner came to the rescue. On the fourth round of
trumps, West must throw the eight of Hearts to show
154 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
that he holds that suit under control. This information
permits East to discard the entire Heart suit and keep
the four Diamonds intact. If the sixth trump is played,
then East can safely shed a Diamond. This would be the
proper play to prevent South from sticking him in with
the Spade, after the King of Diamonds was played, and
forcing a lead up to the Diamond tenace in dummy. With
perfect play by the opposition, the game can still be won
if the dummy leads the Jack of Diamonds instead of the
low Diamond. With the ten falling in the West hand the
Jack and nine are equals and if East covers the Jack with
the Queen the hand is quite simple. Of course, if East is a
first-class player he will refuse to cover, because the re-
maining Diamonds are all in sight and he cannot pro-
mote a Diamond in his hand by putting up the Queen.
It must be understood that the only object in "covering
an honor with an honor," is to endeavor to make a card
of the suit good in either the player's or his partner's
hand. When this objective cannot be accomplished, then
it is bad play to cover, as nothing can be gained by doing
so and there is generally a fair chance that the enemy may
guess wrong. In this particular instance South cannot go
wrong by passing the Jack of Diamonds, because he
holds a losing Spade that can be profitably discarded here.
If the Queen of Diamonds happens to be in West's hand,
it is true that it will win the trick, but it is the last trick
the enemy will take, as the third Spade will be ruffed and
the low Heart discarded on the nine of Diamonds. As the
cards actually lie, the Declarant scores a Small Slam on
the hand. Admitting there is an even chance as to the
opponent holding the Queen of Diamonds, a finesse into
the East hand, if unsuccessful, must lose the game because
PLAYING AGAINST PAR 155
the Spade trick is made at once, while a losing finesse
into the West hand still insures the game for the Declar-
ant.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAMPIONSHIP HANDS
THERE is hardly ever a championship match
where some outstanding incident or play does
not manifest itself in bold relief. At the Na-
tional championships held at White Sulphur Springs,
W. Va., a hand was played that was open to many in-
teresting variations of play.
Undoubtedly this deal was the piece de resistance of
the second session of play and it had most of the ex-
perts gasping for air. Curiously enough, it was not so
much a matter of brilliant play, as it was a question of
judgment, both on offense and defense, that caused the
trouble.
A J 10
K Q 9 8 4 2
* Q*7 5 3
* 10
* 6 3
A J 6
4 A K 9 6
* Q 9 8 3
NORTH
SOUTH
* A 7 4
* 7 5 3
4 J 10 82
* K J 6
4 K Q 9 8 5 2
V 10
4 4
* A 7 5 42
156
CHAMPIONSHIP HANDS 157
There seemed to be no difficulty with the bidding.
South dealt and bid a Spade, which West doubled, North
passed and East called a No Trump. South went to two
Spades and all hands passed. After the opening lead of
the King of Diamonds held the first trick, West found the
going hard and thorny. At only one table did West make
the proper continuance ! The lead for the second trick that
was most favored was the three of Clubs. This threw the
burden of the best procedure upon the Declarant and
while he cannot force the game against perfect defense
even at this point, he can make it so difficult for the ad-
versaries that the closest card-reading is required or the
game will be lost In every instance but one where South
obtained the lead on the second trick, either by ruffing
the Diamond or by the Ace of Clubs, he at once went
after the cross-ruff. It is apparent that the game is im-
possible on this line of play, as one Club must be lost at
the end and one trick in each of the other suits must go
to the enemy. South's only play that gives the adversary
an opportunity to make an error, is the ten of Hearts.
West wins with the Ace and if he leads anything but the
trump, the Declarant must win the game. If West leads
the trump and East plays the second round, North must
win with the Jack and two Club discards are obtained on
the Hearts, which is just as good as if these two Clubs
were ruffed. Of course, West's proper play at the second
trick should be the trump. Even if a Spade trick is
sacrificed to the enemy, it will be more than made up by
the saving of the Club suit. As a matter of fact, the trump
lead at the second trick will defeat the contract instead of
losing the game as the Declarant must lose three Club
tricks and one trick in 'each of the other suits. Although
East's No Trump bid was forced by the partner's double,
158 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the high cards in Hearts and Diamonds in the exposed
dummy together with the holding in these suits that West
has in his hand, should mark East with something worth
while in Clubs in addition to the declared stopper in
Spades.
Another deal played in this tournament illustrates the
general perverseness of things, when one ill-considered
play entailed an enormous loss. The old saying that, "the
cards never forgive," was very much in evidence on this
unfortunate hand.
* 6
V 9 4
4 A 10 8 6 3
* A K J 9 7
* 54
* 873
* J
* 10 865
432
NORTH
SOUTH
4 A 10 9 7 3
V K 5 2
+97542
A K Q J 8 2
V A Q J 10 6
+ K Q
* Q
South was the dealer and bid a Spade. Some players be-
lieve in showing the higher ranking of two major suits
whenever they can do so. Personally, with the above
holding, I prefer the Heart bid. West passed and North
called two Clubs, which was passed by East and South
now bid two Hearts, that declaration securing the con-
CHAMPIONSHIP HANDS 159
tract. The Jack of Diamonds was opened and won by the
Declarant with the Queen. Not finding it easy to get the
dummy in for the trump finesse, South led the Jack of
Spades, which East won with the Ace and returned the
Diamond. .West trumped and now led the Club, East
trumping and leading another Diamond. The Declarant
apparently thought this foolishness had gone far enough,
for he ruffed in with the ten, shutting West out, and fol-
lowed with the Ace and Queen of Hearts. East won the
second Heart trick and returned the Spade, the Declarant
losing two Spade tricks at the finish. It hardly seems pos-
sible that with this wonderful aggregation of high cards,
the contract of two Hearts was actually defeated for a
trick. If the Declarant had paused a moment before he
played to the first trick, he would have seen the neces-
sity of obtaining the immediate lead in the dummy. The
Ace of Diamonds was the correct play, even though it
fells the high card in his hand, and the nine of Hearts led
and finessed. After the trumps are picked up, the Queen
of Clubs must be overtaken in the dummy and the two
high Clubs afford discards of two losing Spades, the op-
ponents being held down to only one trick, the Ace of
Spades. Instead of having the contract defeated, a Small
Slam will be scored. To obtain the trump finesse it is
obvious that either the high Diamond or Club must be
overtaken in dummy and there is no good reason why this
play should be delayed. That the Declarant could have
done better, after his ten of trumps shut out West is self-
evident, but doubtless he was so disgusted with himself
that he was not in his best mood for sober thought.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
TO THE RESCUE!
THERE can be but little chance for success, either
at business or at cards, when partners do not
have confidence and trust in each other. That
the partner is always wrong and the opposition right is
the frame of mind that appears to prevail with a large
number of players. A palpable false-card by the enemy
is permitted to sway the trend of play into the wrong
channels, while proper play of the partner is entirely
ignored. At times good players deliberately redouble
hands that are unquestionably doomed to defeat, in the
hope that the panic-stricken partner of the doubler will
be ready with the rescue and he generally is. A few of
the most flagrant instances of "scaredicatitness," are
shown in the hands following:
160
TO THE RESCUE!
161
A
V
A 10
+ Q96
* A K J 2
K J 9 7 6 4 3
+ KJ 5
* 10 8 7
W3KTH
50UTH
* 5 4
Q 8 5 2
+ 10 8 4 2
* Q6 S
AKQJio872
4 A 7 3
* 9 4 3
On this deal, West bid a No Trump, which North and
East passed. South bid three Spades and West doubled.
Whether or not this double was an informatory one,
North did not wait to find out, but on the supposition
that his partner was a geek, he bid four Hearts. This East
doubled and South showed good judgment in going to
four Spades. West again doubled and defeated the hand
one trick, less 80 honors. Of course, the original double,
if permitted to stand, would have landed the game with-
out difficulty, as the Diamond finesse is marked against
West. If East had treated the double as negative and
bid four Hearts, then a fine trimming was in store for
Messrs. East and West. I can see no rhyme or reason
in North's mad leap to the rescue. South has made a pre-
emptive bid and does not ask that his partner have
trump support. All the high card assistance that could
162 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
be hoped for in suit, is in North's hand and he should
not have hesitated upon the order of passing. If South
had bid two Spades instead of three, then North would
have been quite correct in bidding three Hearts, because
in that case the bid might properly be considered a bid
for a lead, where a little trump support is expected.
A hand where the "partner must be wrong spirit,"
cost about 600 points was played at the Lake Placid
Club.
* 3
* J 8 2
* J 10 8 7 6 4
* 9 7 5
* 8752
^ 9 4 3
S3
* 8 4 3 2
NORTH
SOUTH
4 A Q 10 6
V A 7S
* K 9 2
* A J 10
* KJ 9 4
K Q 10 6
* A Q .
* K Q 6
North had the deal and passed, East bid a No Trump,
which South doubled. West passed and North went to
two Diamonds. This was doubled negatively by East and
the hoped for Spade bid was West's response. To this
point the bidding was conventional and hardly open to
criticism. North certainly strained a point in continuing
TO THE RESCUE! 163
to three Diamonds, but East went on to three Spades
which was doubled by South. West passed and now
North viewed with dismay the result of his misdeeds. He
hadn't the resemblance of a trick in support of his part-
ner's double, although his second Diamond bid was made
voluntarily. It is really curious how difficult it becomes to
reason correctly when a player has already made one
error. The endeavor to escape with four Diamonds, re-
sulted in a double, which set the contract one trick. If the
partner's Spade double had not been interfered with,
the penalty would have been four or five hundred points.
In analyzing the bidding, it should be noted that South's
original double showed strength in the Major suits, espe-
cially Spades; that West had refused to bid until forced
to by his partner; that South at no time had supported
the Diamond bid; that South was fully aware that a
double of three Spades at a love score was bad business,
unless his hand was unusually powerful. And, finally,
that North had passed originally and little could be
expected from him in the way of quick tricks. The sum-
mary should tend to show that the Spade contract would
be defeated possibly a trick less than expected while
the Diamond bid had little chance to produce a game,
and might be heavily set.
To the Bridger's invocation may be appended: "And
save me from my rescuers."
Trusting the partner in the play of the cards, is fully as
important as in the bidding. It should always be borne
in mind that the partner is at least trying his best to
point out the best course to pursue, while the adversary is
endeavoring to obscure the issue.
164 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO'
* 'K io 8
"V 7 8 6
4 K J 10 7
* J 10 7
* Q
* 7 4 3
4 A6 42
* A 9 8 4 2
NORTH
SOUTH
A A 9 7 6 4
2
* 8 5 3
* K Q6 3
* J 5 3 ^
A K Q 10 9 5
+ Q9
* 5
East dealt and bid a Spade, which South overcalled*
with three Hearts. There was no further bidding and the
Queen of Spades was led, covered by the King and won
by the Ace. The Declarant could easily mark the Queen as
being a singleton and knowing the game could not be
won if West was given a ruff, he played the Jack of
Spades under the Ace. This play gave East a minor
tenace position in the suit and he switched to the King of
Clubs. West played the two and East continued with
a low Club. The Declarant ruffed, dragged down the
trumps and set up the Diamonds in dummy, upon which ^
he discarded the two losing Spades, making ten tricks
and game. That the play of the Jack of Spades is a
palpable false-card should be apparent. If it were the
only Spade in South's hand, then West would have held
four cards in the suit and his proper opening lead should
TO THE RESCUE! 165
have been a low card instead of the Queen. On the
second lead, West played the two of Clubs on his partner's
King, although he is marked with the Ace. If South held
the Ace, a hold-up would be atrocious with the Jack-ten
in the dummy. East's play of the lowest Club can mean
but one thing he is imploring for a Spade return, and
a chance to save the game. If East had returned the
Spade at once on the presumption that it was the best
play, if only because the Declarant was so desperately
trying to frighten him off, his partner would have ruffed
and led a low Club* East is positively marked with the
King of Clubs on his original bid. Holding but one quick
trick in his bid suit, his second trick must be in Clubs,
when the Heart suit is shown with South. On the low Club
lead, West obtains a second Spade ruff and the Heart
contract is defeated for a trick instead of losing the game.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
COUNTING THE LOSERS
MUCH has been said and written as to the ad-
visability of stopping to count the losing cards
in a hand when a player is in the throes of a
bidding spree. With sound bidding by the partners, the
trick taking value of the combined hands should be ap-
proximated within a trick or two and the five and six
hundred point penalties that so often disgrace the score-
sheet are usually the perfectly natural result of trying to
obtain the play of every deal. I venture to say that in
every coterie of bridge-players there is always at least
one who is never at a loss for a bid of some sort. Ad-
versary or partner, it makes no difference to him. He con-
siders that deal null, void and completely lost, when he
cannot insert a bid, if only to call attention to the im-
portant fact that he is still in the game. There are still
extant, players of the old school who will make original
bids without holding the two "quick-tricks," that the
modern game is based upon. To properly count a hand,
with such a factor in the game, is almost impossible and
the difference between being set for five hundred points
and passing up a game hand is very much a matter of
guess-work.
An excellent time to stop and count is when the con-
tract has been secured and the dummy hand is laid on
the table. Often, it is at once apparent that the game can-
not be won. When this is the case, the player should be
most careful to fulfill his contract, if possible. Playing a
166
COUNTING THE LOSERS
167
one Spade contract at a love score, it is very bad tactics
to have the contract defeated because the player tried to
make eight tricks. Fifty-nine to nine are bad odds on an
even proposition and no player can afford to accept them,
although countless bridge-players actually do, day after
day. When there is a chance to win the game or rubber,
with a reward of two hundred or four hundred points
against fifty, then it is an entirely different matter. Now
the percentage favors the speculation. This answers the
numerous inquirers who wish to know whether it is good
play to jeopardize the contract in an endeavor to win the
game.
When a hand contains a number of sure losers and
come probable losers, then upon the ability to figure
which are the 'least probable/* usually hinges the success
or failure of that deal. It is curious how often players
think they are taking an even chance, when the odds are
two to one against them and worse.
A Jg 8 6
* Q 10 4 2
* A 8
168 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South dealt and preempted with three Spades, which
bought the contract. West opened the King of Hearts and
the Declarant permitted the King to hold. West at once
switched to the King of Clubs, which was won by the Ace
in dummy and the trump finesse lost to the Queen. The
Declarant succeeded in making his contract of three
Spades, but did he take advantage of the maximum op-
portunity that the hand afforded? His refusal to win the
first trick was predicated on the hope that the Queen
of Spades was with East in which case he would make
eleven tricks or, that West would not shift to the Club
suit. His sure losers consisted of one trick in Hearts and
Diamonds and possible losers in Spades and Clubs. The
Spade finesse was at least as good as an even chance. Close
thought will show that the Declarant has much better
than an even chance to win this game. Chancing every-
thing on the location of the Queen of Spades is too much
like putting all the eggs in one basket. The game can be
won, provided the Spade suit is divided three and two,
irrespective of whether East or West holds the Queen.
The added chance that the Queen is alone, or singly
guarded, is also in the Declarant's favor. The important
thing is to prevent a Club trick from making and the
Ace of Hearts should have taken at once, then two rounds
of Spades played without attempting the finesse. If the
Queen does not fall, then the Heart should be led to
establish the Jack in dummy, and the enemy can make
their top trump when they wish, but the losing Club is
discarded on the Jack of Hearts. One trick each in Spades,
Hearts and Diamonds to the enemy, will not prevent
Dedarant from landing the game. It will be noted that
the game could be won, even after the hold-up of the
Ace of Hearts, if the trump finesse is not taken. After
COUNTING THE LOSERS
169
two rounds of trumps, the Heart is put through and the
Club discard is secured.
Sometimes a deal seems to count more losers than the
traffic will bear, unless one specific card is in a certain
hand. When this is the case, the play should be, as though
the card was known to be in the desired place.
A 52
965
* Q43
* A J 86i
* A J 10 7 6 3
A Q 8 2
+ K
* 10 3
NORTH
SOUTH
A Q 9 8
* KJ43
+ J6
* Q9S4
A K4
10 7
4 A 10 98752
* K 7
South secured the contract for five Diamonds, the
adversaries having gone to four Spades. The Ace of
Spades was opened and a second round was won by the
King. In a desperate endeavor to get rid of the losing
Hearts, the Declarant played the King of Clubs and fol-
lowed with another round, finessing the Jack in dummy.
At the finish, the contract was set for three tricks, which
fortunately for the Declarant, had not been doubled. That
a successful Club finesse will not, in itself, succeed in
making the contract should be obvious. The Declarant has
170 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
been favored by Providence in getting a Spade opening
instead of a Heart and should take advantage of his good
fortune by accepting the only chance open to him. The
contract, not having been doubled, would tend strongly to
prove that the three missing trumps cannot be in one
hand. If that is the case, why cannot the singleton Dia-
mond be the King? Played on that premise, the game is
in sight. When the King falls, even then the play must
be very careful. If the Clubs are evenly divided, then
the hand is over, but in the exigency of four Clubs
being in one hand, two trump reentries must be kept in
dummy. The Club should not be finessed but the third
round ruffed with the five of trumps. Now the ten of
trumps is overtaken with the Queen and the fourth Club
ruffed with the seven of trumps. The object of keeping
the two of trumps now appears. Dummy is able to
enter with the three and afford a needed Heart discard
for the fulfillment of the contract.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
TECHNIQUE
IT is quite true that but comparatively few of the
great number of Bridge players in the country have
played Duplicate Bridge. I refer to that style of
play so often in this book, because it illustrates the actual
play of a deal, dealt at random and played at a dozen
or more tables by different players, who are usually
affiliated with a card club where the standard of play is
supposed to be rather better than the average. It should
be understood that the bidding and play of the cards
are in no way different than in regular, straight Auction
Bridge as it is played everywhere. At present there are
three Bridge clubs in New York City, where the duplicate
form of game is played once or twice a week and it
seems to be increasing in popularity all the time. On eve-
nings when the run of the cards is peculiar and freakish,
the differences in the scores are very great. When the
hands are more normal the scores are apt to be quite
even. Often, after three or four hours play, there are less
than fifty points separating the first three pairs of play-
ers and I have at times, seen the top score actually tied.
There are always a few outstanding hands that cause the
big swings in the scores and the after-game discussion
of these deals is generally instructive as well as interest-
ing. To many of the players, large losses seem to be
entirely the result of bad bidding. I believe that bad play
171
I 7 2 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
will lose just as much as bad bidding, but, of course, the
initial error is in the bidding because the bidding comes
first. Really these two integral parts of the game are so
intertwined that it is useless to try and separate them.
A deal played at the Knickerbocker Whist Club re-
cently, appeared to be a rather simple affair. The varia-
tion in bidding and play and score was most pro-
nounced.
Kg 8
5
A K Q 9 8 4
A K 5
North had the deal and passed. East at some tables
bid a No Trump. That such a bid is thoroughly unsound
is now conceded by most of the experts. Holding a low
singleton and a good suit bid, the No Trump may be
worked into, but the suit bid should be started. South,
after a No Trump, should pass, but some players find
it far easier to pass through a needle's eye' than five
honors in Hearts. Other players think it is unethical to
TECHNIQUE 173
pass a set-up suit. Even a rattlesnake rattles to warn its
victim! The enemy who refuses to bid soundly, must be
told that the leader has a solid suit so that he can find
a bid that will win the game for his side. If the No Trump
bid is left in, the contract must be defeated for one trick,
and if the Hearts are shown, East will be driven to his
Diamonds, forcing South to bid his Hearts probably up
to four. This contract should be doubled and defeated
three hundred points, a sad reward for the Samaritan
bid.
When the proper bid of a Diamond was made, South
bid the Hearts, which at once put the quietus on all
thoughts of a No Trump. It was better not to preempt
the Heart bid, as a suit had been already shown. Whether
East doubled the Hearts when South got too high, or
went to five Diamonds, the deal worked out well for him.
While it appears that five-odd is all that can be made
on the hand, a Small Slam is there on the squeeze play
if the enemy is not ready with a coup. If East trumps
the second round of Hearts and plays out all the trumps,
North will be left with six cards. To guard both the
Spades and Clubs under these conditions would be an
impossibility. On the discards dummy must keep the
four Clubs, while the Declarant has the three Spades.
As played at my table, this hand developed some very
interesting situations. East properly started with a Dia-
mond and I, at the South position, bid a Heart. West
passed but North, fearing the Heart bid would be left
in, rescued with a Spade. From that point the bidding
went merrily on until East bid five Diamonds. On the
strength of North's deceitful Spade bid, I doubled the
five Diamonds, a somewhat doubtful procedure, notwith-
standing it was a free double.
174 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
I opened the King of Hearts and when the dummy went
down with four Hearts and the Ace of Spades, it looked
like Black Friday, the ijth. There was still one chance
left that my partner held an honor in Diamonds and
would trump my Ace of Hearts. I was quite certain he
would do so, but kept my powder dry by leading the
two of Hearts. The ten of Diamonds went on this lead
and East won with the Queen. When the Club suit ob-
stinately refused to break and afford the Declarant a dis-
card of his losing Spade, the contract was defeated one
trick, a Diamond, Heart and Spade being lost. If East had
played perfectly, even the difficult defense he was com-
pelled to contend with, should not have prevented him
from making his contract. When the second round of
Hearts is trumped with the ten of Diamonds, it should
have been apparent to him that if he overtrumps, a
Diamond trick will almost surely go against him. South's
only object in leading a losing Heart, when holding all
the top honors, would be to force a trump from the
partner that might establish a trump in South's hand. The
Declarant's best play would have been to refuse to over-
trump with the Queen, but permit the ten of trumps to
hold and take a discard of the losing Spade. Even when
this play was not recognized in time, there was yet an-
other way to make eleven tricks. The same old squeeze
that would have made a Small Slam on primary play,
would have still made the game at this stage- South
should have been put in with the third round of trumps
and, on regaining the lead, the Declarant by playing his
remaining trumps, forces North to unguard one of the
two suits he has left.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
THE GAME OR THE BLOW
IT is not very difficult to follow the trend of mind of
the Bridge player who handles the cards with ex-
ceptional cleverness and, therefore, bids freely and
abundantly. If the enemy cannot be inveigled into over-
bidding their hands, or coerced into losing a trick in play,
at least the skilful player feels that he can play the
cards for all they are worth and secure the maximum
number of tricks that can possibly be made. The unfath-
omable mystery is, why the player who can, without un-
due effort, manage to lose one or two tricks per hand,
usually far outbids all competitors. We have all seen
the player who frankly admits that they "don't know
how to play the hand," bid a No Trump on an Ace, a
hunch and a hope and then complain bitterly when, the
contract is set for five or six tricks. The only plausible
explanation I can see is the fear of an inferiority complex
and the thought that free bidding may tend to disguise
other shortcomings. There is no law or rule that com-
pels a player to bid on what experts call the "minimum
requirements," and it would doubtless work out ad-
vantageously if players of immature experience recog-
nized their limitations and hesitated about setting them-
selves too difficult a task. Quite often an indifferent player
^rill lose the game by bidding a weak No Trump that
takes the play from a partner of good ability, who might
have won the game easily.
When the average player holds a hand more or less
175
176 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
"solid/* with Aces and Kings predominating, it usually
does not involve as difficult play as when the strength of
the hand lies mainly in the length of the trump suit. Un-
less the player is of the advanced type, it is generally
more profitable to permit the opponents to play the deal
when the bidding gets too high on the latter style of
hands. It is a bit irritating to hear an adversary say after
he has been set for a trick or two: "Well, partner, we
saved the game/' but more often than not, such a state-
ment is based on double-dummy play. In actual play
the hand might have been defeated if played by the op-
posing side, either through imperfect play or an unfortu-
nate "guess." If, on the following hand, the East player
had had the play of the deal at four Clubs, he should have
been defeated two tricks. South played the hand and was
actually defeated four hundred points partly through his
bad play but who can gainsay that he could not have
made the game, even against the perfect defense of the
enemy?
A K 43
V Q 8 6 3
4952
* A 6 2
A Q 9
10 9 5 4
+ A J 7 64
* 9 8
NORTH
SOUTH
* 7 5
V K 7 2
4 K Q
* KQ J
10 7 3
* A J 10 8 6 2
* AJ
4 10 8 3
* 5 4
THE GAME OR THE BLOW 177
East had the deal and bid a Club, South bid a Spade,
West two Diamonds and North two Spades. On the sec-
ond round!, East went to three Clubs, South three Spades,
West and North passing. East persisted to four Clubs,
which was passed by South and West, but North con-
tinued to four Spades, which was doubled by East. All
hands passed and West led the nine of Clubs. Dummy
won with the Ace and played the King of Spades, fol-
lowed by the four. South, evidendy influenced by East's
double, finessed the ten and West won with the Queen.
The eight of Clubs was overtaken by East and another
Club led, which was permitted to hold when the Declarant
discarded a Diamond. East then switched to the King of
Diamonds and followed with the Queen, which West won
with the Ace. The Jack of Diamonds was ruffed by South
and, as he could not obtain the lead in dummy to finesse
the Heart, a trick in that suit also went astray. Of course,
a trick was thrown away by South's refusal to trump
the third Club. By ruffing and leading a Diamond, he
forces either a Heart lead, or a ruff and discard. The
Declarant's grievance, however, was not so much with
his lost trick as it was with his partner, for taking him
to four Spades. Holding a split hand with no ability to
ruff, the Declarant felt that his partner hardly had one
sound raise certainly not two. North differed with his
partner's view of the situation as partners occasionally
do iand contended that if the hand had been properly
played, they need be set but one trick instead of four.
When dummy is in with the Ace of Clubs, the Heart
finesse, instead of the Spade, will accomplish this re-
sult. Under expert treatment, the game can and should be
made. East's double, with the Spade bidder over him,
does not mark him with the Queen. If West, at the left of
178 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the bidder, had doubled, then the Queen might be marked
in that hand. East's double, however, does locate the
King of Hearts with him and that finesse is the more
important and should be taken at once. A low Heart
should be led and the Jack played by South. When the
Jack wins, the chance for game cannot be disregarded. If
East holds three Hearts and the trumps are divided,
careful play must win the game. The Ace of Hearts is
played next, then the Ace of Spades and the Jack of
Spades. The dummy is in with the King and the eight
of Hearts will force out the King, which should be ruffed
by a high trump so that the lowly deuce can be led to
permit dummy to regain the lead with the four and the
losing Club is discarded on the good Queen of Hearts.
The Declarant cannot escape losing the three Diamond
tricks at the end, but the difference between going down
four hundred points and scoring the doubled game and
rubber is very likely to be the difference between a los-
ing and a winning session at the Bridge table.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
QUICK ON THE TRIGGER
MANY tricks and games are lost by slow-thinking
players, who cannot seem to break themselves
of the very bad habit of hesitating when an
honor is led through them. Often the declarant can take
a finesse either in his hand or in the dummy and the
opponents hesitation is the only due to guide him into
the proper channel. It is admittedly bad form to hesitate
when the player does not hold the missing honor and
any member of a card club who believes such tactics to
be smart play, quickly finds himself in bad repute at his
Club. When defending a hand against the Declarant, play-
ers should anticipate leads of this kind and be prepared
to cover or not, before the play comes up. If taken un-
awares, it is usually better to play quickly, even if the
card played should prove the incorrect one. When the
adversary is compelled to do the guessing, he is quite
likely to err occasionally.
Another variation of hesitation play that defeats its
purpose, is when the player holds up an Ace or a King.
Played in the usual, natural way, such play may be
successful, while nothing can be gained by waiting a
minute or two to consider the matter. Quite recently a
rather neat coup was instrumental in permitting a player
to escape from a desperate situation, but I hardly believe
179
180 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
it would have accomplished its purpose if the play had
not been made without any apparent thought.
A 8
V A 7 5 2
Q643
* 10 5 4 3
4 643
K 9 8
97 5
* A K J 6
4
* J9
10 4 3
+ A K J
* 87
10 8 a
AKQI07S2
Q J6
* Q 9 2
West dealt and bid a Club, North passed, East bid a
Diamond and South a Spade. After a rebid by East, and
a doubtful assist by West, the contract went to South for
four Spades doubled. With the play of the King, Ace and
a low Club, it is apparent that South must lose a Heart
and be set for one trick. It looks as if the Declarant might
be able to squeeze the opponents by leading out all the
trumps, but close study will show that correct discarding
by the enemy will permit them to save the game. West
must hold two Hearts and the Jack of Clubs for the last
three tricks. Dummy holds two Hearts and the Queen of
Diamonds. East at the tenth trick is forced to discard
a Heart, but on West refusing to cover the Queen of
Hearts, the Declarant is placed in a hopeless position. As
QUICK ON THE TRIGGER 181
the hand was actually played, the Declarant was quick
to take advantage of the opponent's hesitancy, and while
the contract could not have been made against double-
dummy defense, it was almost a sure thing that the line
of play mapped out by the Declarant would prove suc-
cessful in the vast majority of instances. On the lead of
the King of Clubs, East pondered a moment as to the
advisability of echoing by playing the eight of Clubs
before the seven. If West held five or six Clubs, the echo
would be useless and the immediate lead of a Diamond
might save the game. Of course, East's correct play was
the eight first, as West was the proper person to decide
whether a third round of Clubs should be played, or the
switch made to Diamonds. With a five-card Club suit,
West could not help reading the situation correctly. East
eventually arrived at this conclusion and played the eight,
completing the echo on the second round. The moment's
hesitancy would have been quite harmless if the Declar-
ant had not risen to the occasion, by playing the Queen
of Clubs tinder the Ace on the second round. This play
appears, at first thought, like sheer idiocy, as the Queen
is the ranking card on the third round. East's signal, how-
ever, makes it apparent that the suit will be continued
and the Queen ruffed, unless West can be induced to
switch. When the Queen falls, West's Jack becomes high
and he is forced to infer that his partner holds another
Club. To West now, the hesitation of his partner on the
first lead is explained by his distaste to playing the miss-
ing two on the first trick this innocuous appearing card
being still held up by South. To play his Jack and have
it trumped by the Declarant, setting up the ten in dummy,
seems out of the question, so the Diamond is led through
with disastrous results. The Declarant ruffs, draws all
182 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the opposing trumps and then leads the two of Clubs
through, setting up the ten in dummy to afford a dis-
card for the losing Heart. It should be noted that if West
had played exceptionally well and continued on with the
Clubs, even to the fourth round that would have been
necessary to save the game, he would assuredly have
played the third round if the Queen had not fallen, so that
the play of the Declarant had everything to gain and
nothing to lose.
Many rubbers are lost at Bridge where the simplest
inference, coupled with just a bit of "book-learning,"
would have been sufficient to have saved the game.
South's one No Trump bought the contact and the
eight of Spades was the opening lead. North played the
two, East the Jack and South won with the King. The
Declarant immediately went after the Clubs and the en-
QUICK ON THE TRIGGER 183
emy succeeded in taking in but four - tricks, two each in
Spades and Clubs. The hand seemed to be a pianola
self-playing but correct play by East must save the
game.
On the eleven rule, but three cards can beat the card
led on the opening lead. One, the ten, is in the dummy and
another, the Jack, is held by East, so only one card
higher than the eight can be in the Declarant's hand. That
this card must be either the Ace, King or Queen is a
certainty, as the leader would not lead a low card if he
held the Ace-King-Queen combination. By refusing to
put up the Jack on the first round of Spades, an extra
trick is made in that suit and the game must be saved.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
DELICATE PLAY
WHEN a hand contains seven or more cards of
one suit, or eleven cards divided In two suits,
it is called a "freak," and usually should not
be treated along strictly conventional lines, either in bid-
ding or in play. To make a preemptive bid on a freak
two-suiter is poor strategy, because the distribution in
one or more of the other hands is almost sure to be
abnormal. Very often the game can be won by showing
the weaker of two suits, when the far stronger combina-
tion would be defeated. Holding a two suiter, with one
exceptionally strong suit, it may be expedient to rebid
this suit before showing the other, if the opportunity
offers, so that the partner will not be misled into thinking
that both suits are about equal. If my partner bid one
Spade, two Spades and three Hearts, over the opponent's
minor suit showing, I would figure the hand as com-
posed of about six Spades to the Ace-King and five
Hearts to the Queen. With four Hearts to the King, two
small Spades and an otherwise worthless hand, one and
under some conditions, two raises in Hearts would not be
unjustified strategic bidding. If the contract is defeated,
it is quite likely that the opponents have a game hand,
if played at their minor suit.
When a hand holds great length in a minor suit with
a four-card major and two suits unprotected, it is some-
184
DELICATE PLAY
what dangerous to start the bidding on the four-card
major suit. One force and the hand may be utterly ruined.
When a major suit is bid after the player has started
with a minor, the partner cannot go amiss. The second
suit lacks either top cards, or length. To support the sec-
ondary bid with less than four of the suit is rarely good
play. Even with four cards, it generally requires delicate
play to land the game, as the hand following will show:
After East had passed, South bid a Club, the two
singletons being a strong factor against showing the four-
card Spade suit. West bid a Diamond, North and East
passed and South now called the Spade, West bid two
Diamonds, North passed and East went to two Hearts.
Holding five cards of his partner's suit, it may appear
that East is rather indiscreet when he bids the Hearts,
but the bid is sound nevertheless. Having passed the
i86 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Diamond bid on the first round, thereby showing at least
normal support in the suit, East must endeavor to better
the contract, if he can do so without misleading his
partner. The Heart bid in this position indicates a will-
ingness to have the partner go on with the Diamonds, if
he cannot help the Hearts. It is neat bidding. South bid
three Clubs and West went to three Diamonds. West
reasons well in refusing to support the belated Heart
bid. The partner, not having shown the suit on the first
two rounds of bidding, and South showing length in
Spades and Clubs, marks North with strength in Hearts.
The Diamond bid is passed up to South, who goes to
four Clubs. It will be noted that the four-card suit is
not rebid. Unless the partner has a strong preference for
the Spades, South must continue bidding his long suit for
all the hand is worth. West passes and now North is
forced for the first time to make a choice. While he has
not a sound assist at any time, he has a decided choice
and bids four Spades. East and South passing, West
doubles and the hand is played at this make.
This deal was played in a team match and both teams
agreed upon the bidding, South playing the hand at four
Spades doubled. On the play, however, a swing of 650
points was recorded. At the first table, West led two
rounds of Diamonds, the Declarant ruffing the second
round and taking two rounds of trumps. Finding four
trumps with West, he led the King of Clubs, which West
took with the Ace and returned a trump. South could do
nothing but continue the Clubs, West ruffing the third
round and being overruffed by dummy. The balance of
the tricks were taken by the enemy, setting the -contract
four hundred points. If the Declarant had taken but one
round of trumps, he would have saved a trick, as West
DELICATE PLAY
187
would have been forced to switch to the Hearts, instead
of leading the trumps, when he was in with the Ace of
Clubs. At the second table, the opening was identical, but
the second round of Diamonds was trumped with the
Queen instead of the low trump. The Declarant can see
nothing but defeat if dummy cannot get in to pull down
the trumps. It is obvious that a force in Hearts is coming
next and that is the time to decide whether to ruff with
the high or low trump. After one round of trumps is
played, the drop of the ten from East marks the location
of the balance with West. With probable ability to over-
ruff dummy in Clubs, East could hardly afford to false-
card the ten, if he held other trumps. South, after one
round of trumps, leads the King of Clubs and West wins
and leads the Ace and four of Hearts. South trumps the
second round with the Ace of trumps, leads the two and
the finesse of the seven permits dummy to gather in all
the opposing trumps and make the entire Club suit, los-
ing only three tricks and fulfilling the doubled contract.
A hand where the game was saved by clever defense
against correct play was played by J. P. Mattheys at the
Knickerbocker Whist Club :
* A J 7
*6 5
+ 854
* A J 10 8 4
V
4
*
Q 8 4 2
J 94
Q 10 2
K 9 7
NORTH
SOUTH
4 K 10 3
Q 10 8
+ J 7 3
* Q 6 3
* 9 6 5
V A K 7 3
4 A K 9 ^
* .5 *
188 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
West dealt and passed, North bid a Club and South
won the contract for a No Trump. The two of Spades
was opened and Mr. Mattheys, in the East position,
finessed the ten, returned the King, and being permitted
to hold that trick, led the third round, drawing out the
Ace. The Declarant got in with the King of Diamonds
and finessed the ten of Clubs. The ten held, as the Queen
was not played, with the result that the Declarant could
not take more than eight tricks. The hold-up of the
Queen of Clubs is very pretty play, as the King is marked
with partner and the finesse of the Jack on the second
round will win the game if 'the Queen goes up. If South
held the King of Clubs, it would have been safer play,
instead of disdosing the Diamond situation, to put his
hand in with the Club King and take the finesse on the
second round of the suit.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
NO LAW AGAINST TRYING
EVERY Club and community has its Bridge player
who is known as the "Lucky-player" or the
"Big-holder." Curiously enough, these individ-
uals are rarely given credit for possessing exceptional
ability at the card table. The general opinion seems to
be that they are "pretty fair players, but they always
hold phenomenal cards." As I have repeatedly declared
myself, my firm opinion is that the cards will average
up in the long run. After, say, a hundred sessions of
play, I believe the difference in the number of Aces, Kings
and Queens held by the "tremendous-holder" and the
"terrible-holder" will be rather less than the percentage
of alcohol in a chocolate ice-cream-soda with vanilla
cream. It is fair to assume that a Bridge player of out-
standing ability will sooner or later be accredited and
honored with a niche in the Hall of Bridge-fame, so there
is doubtless something else that the "lucky-holder" has,
that tends to make him a winner. Few of us can be the
seventh son of a seventh son and charm-philters have
not been in vogue since Cagliostro gave up the ghost.
That a certain class of players do win continually, not-
withstanding that they lose many tricks by careless and
unsound play, is an established fact. The only reason I
can see is, that these players use excellent judgment at
critical times. When they are heavily set, the enemy would
189
190 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
have won the rubber had they obtained the contract.
While they lose the difficult Grand Coups and squeezes,
they win many games by apparently simple plays that
the other fellow never thinks of. There is a colossal dif-
ference between permitting the adversaries to score a
slam on the rubber game or overbidding the hand with
the expectation of taking a penalty and then succeeding
in fulfilling the doubled contract.
A hand that appeared absolutely hopeless and yet was
"put over" by a touch of psychology was the following:
* K Q 10 9 7 5
y
4 10 7
* K J 10 7 2
On the rubber game East dealt and bid a Heart, South
a Spade, West two Hearts and North passed. South rebid
the Spades, West and North passed and East went to
three Diamonds. South now bid four Clubs, with the
knowledge that his partner would go back to Spades, un-
less he held exceptional support in the Clubs, because the
Spades had been rebid before the Clubs were shown at
NO LAW AGAINST TRYING 191
all. This Is a phase of bidding that should be given dose
study. When a two-suiter is bid, if one suit is much
stronger than the other, it should be rebid if possible,
so that the partner will not be deceived into believing
that the suits are about equal. This is especially so when
the first suit is a Major and the second a Minor, because
a Major is usually bid before a stronger Minor, pro-
vided the bidding values are there. West helped his part-
ner to four Hearts and North, on the two-suit showing,
went to four Spades. East properly bid five Hearts, but
South persisted to five Spades. That the game at Hearts
was a surety, decided South into taking the chance to be
set for a trick or two. As a matter of fact, East must make
a Small Slam if the deal is played at Hearts. The five
Spade bid was doubled by East and the opening lead was
the King of Hearts. It hardly seemed possible to avoid los-
ing a Club and two Diamonds, and being penalized for
a hundred points, but South tried a play that appears
foolish when the cards are exposed and yet was the only
chance to confuse the issue and actually did succeed in
winning the game. After trumping the Heart, South
played two rounds' of trumps, leaving dummy in the
lead. A Club play would compel the enemy to run with
the two Diamonds, so a low Diamond was played, East
winning with the King. Another Heart was led and ruffed
and now South led the ten of Clubs, putting up the
Queen in dummy. East, of course, had to wjn with the
Ace and, thinking his partner had a trick in Clubs which
would not make if dummy obtained a discard on the
mythical Diamond that the Declarant seemed to be trying
to establish, a third round of Hearts was played and
from then on, nothing mattered. Dummy's two remaining
Diamonds were shed on the two good Clubs and if the
192 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
game was lost by East's bad play, South should at least
be entitled to credit for "aiding and abetting."
That a lost trick means practically nothing, unless it
makes the difference in the game or contract, is of not
sufficient significance to many players. When a contract
is played at one No Trump, with no score, making an
extra trick is worth exactly ten points, while two extra
is a matter of from two to five hundred.
A K Q 8
10 6 5
+ J 10 7 4
* K J 2
* 93
* AKQ J 7
' * Q 8 6 5
* 94
JWRTH
464
94
* A 3 2
* 10 8 7 6 5
A A J 10 7 5 2
8 3 2
4 K 9
* A Q
At a love score South obtained the contract for two
Spades after West had bid and rebid the Hearts. Three
rounds of Hearts were cashed in and West then switched
to the nine of Clubs, which South won with the Ace.
The obvious play is to take out the opposing trumps,
after which a Diamond can be discarded on the third Club
in dummy. Then the Diamond is led and unless East is
a moron, the Ace will clatter up and catch the lone King.
NO LAW AGAINST TRYING 193
The way the hand was played, gave the enemy a chance
to slip. The discard was not taken after the Club lead,
but dummy was put in with* the Queen of Spades and the
Jack of Diamonds was led at once. At this early stage,
East did not see the danger signal and the Ace was not
played. The Declarant went up with the King, and after
drawing the trumps, discarded the nine of Diamonds on
the good Club. If the Ace had been with West and the
Diamond had been immediately returned, South would
have lost a trick nine points. That East should unques-
tionably have played the Ace anyway, does not alter
the fact that it often pays to try.
CHAPTER FORTY
A CAMOUFLAGE DOUBLE
FASHIONS change with the times and to keep in
vogue, whether the subject be dress or Auction
Bridge, one must be prepared to accept or discard
a style or convention as soon as it is regarded by the
great majority as being the proper thing. When the in-
formatory double was started in this country a consider-
able number of excellent players refused to use it
some because they believed it was unfair, others because
they thought it was of no value. In England, most of
the Clubs refused to permit their members to make use
of the convention at all and one well known Bridge-
writer spoke of it as nothing better than 'licensed cheat-
ing." The present day agitation over the four-card suit
bids is the cause of much heated discussion. A promi-
nent writer-authority in this country speaks of such
bids as on a par with cheating and, in his opinion, more
of a handicap than a help to the players who make use
of them. If his reasoning is sound and the bids are a
hindrance to their users, 1 wonder where the cheating
comes in? It must be that the poor, unfortunate players
of this terrible convention are cheating themselves. Well,
why stop them? If a player believes a four-card suit is
a good thing to bid in a certain position I am strongly in
favor of it he has a perfect right to try it out and
194
A CAMOUFLAGE DOUBLE 195
there is not the least tinge of unfairness in connection
with such play. My contemporary's point of view is as
immature as that of the little girl who was watching a
workman tiling the bath-room floor. At a difficult angle,
he tried several tiles to make a fit, but was unable to
find one that would do. Picking up one of regular size,
he placed it on a block and started to dip it down. The
tiny miss was quite aghast at this clear breach of the
rules. "Look, mamma, look," she whispered, "he's cheat-
ing!"
Sometimes the informatory double of a suit bid is made,
with the doubler having great strength in the suit dou-
bled. This appears to be contrary to the accepted mean-
ing of the double and a player writes me to inquire if
such procedure is not dishonest. It seems that the in-
jured party rebid his hand, was again doubled and de-
feated for five hundred points. The hand was not sent
me so I cannot reproduce it here, but I would say that
the only player who had a just claim to make of being
cheated was the partner of the player who rebid. The
opportunity for doubles of this character are not uncom-
mon and are sound and proper plays. The partner of the
doubler makes his forced bid and if the original bidder
is foolish enough to continue with his suit, the penalty in-
flicted cannot be too severe. Doubles of this kind are
called "camouflage doubles" and sharp players quickly
recognize the situation. When a player's one-trick suit-
bid is doubled and Third Hand is void of the suit, it
does not require a Sherlock Holmes to deduce that it is
either a camouflage double or Fourth Hand will be very
long in the suit. A hand came up recently that lost the
rubber game because tKe opponent was quicker than the
partner to recognize a position of this kind.
196 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
5 4
North dealt and passed, East bid a No Trump, South
and West passed and North now bid two Spades for a
lead. When East doubled, it was what is generally known
as an informatory double, meaning strength in every suit
but Spades, and a desire for partner to bid, unless he had
enough strength to defeat the hand. Admittedly, it would
be better, with East's holding, to have the double a
"business one," but unfortunately, it does not work th$t
way. It cannot be both fish and fowl.
It appears, from East's position, that his partner will
very likely bid Clubs and then East will go on with his
No Trumps. If the adversaries should continue bidding,
then East's double must be regarded as business. South,
fully cognizant that his partner had passed originally,
knew that if East's double was what it was supposed
to be, then West would probably have sufficient length
in Spades to Ifeave the double in. He, accordingly, bid two
No Trumps, which was passed all around. West opened
A CAMOUFLAGE DOUBLE 197
the three of Hearts, East won with the Ace and the
Queen was returned. South took it with the King and the
Queen of Clubs drove out the Ace. On the Heart return,
South's Jack was better than anything West could pro-
duce, and two rounds of Clubs left dummy in the lead.
The low Diamond was led through, but East did not put
Tip on honor, because he could not save the game unless
his partner had as good as the Jack. South won with
the Jack, cashed in the balance of the Clubs and then
the Ace, followed by a low Diamond, put East in the lead
to play a Spade up to the major tenace in the dummy.
The Declarant succeeded in taking in ten tricks against
East's strong holding, landing the game and rubber. Now,
let us see what would have happened if West had used
the same method of reasoning as that applied by South.
Apparently, East has made an informatory double
of North's secondary Spade bid, but South refuses to
chance a pass up to West and North does not rebid
the Spades. Not having bid originally, North's Spades
must have wide, open spaces and East's double is not
what it seems. Having diagnosed the situation correctly,
West should utilize the only probable chance to lead that
he is likely to have on this deal, to open a Spade, even
though he is departing from the recognized standards of
conventional play. On the original Spade lead, South is in
trouble immediately. He cannot tell whether the length in
Spades is with West or East, although all the evidence
points to West. If the Queen is played to the first trick,
the Declarant will have to play well to escape being
set on his contract and making the game is out of the
question. Reading the bidding correctly is often as great
a factor in determining the result of dose hands, as is
the proper reading of the cards.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
HEEPLESS!
WHILE there are some deals at Bridge where
the contracting hands are so powerful that
the defense is more or less perfunctory, it is
surprising how many of these apparently "lay-down-
hands" might be saved by skilful and quick-thinking
players. Time and again the platitude is uttered: "Part-
ner, we were absolutely helpless on that hand." Players
who refuse to be overawed by big hands into following
suit like a lot of trained pigs, can often locate the flaw in
Achilles' heel and defeat hands that appear invulnerable.
On the following hand the Declarant won the game and
rubber. If the defense had been a bit more keen, South's
doleful remark: "They held the ship/* might have been
blithely: "down one."
A 6
K J 10 8 6 a
4 K Q 9 2
* 7 5
A K Q 10 9 8 5
* 9 5 3
486
* A K
NORTH
SOUTH
* J 7 3
* A Q 7
4 J 104
* Q J 8 2
*
4
4*
A 4 2
4
A 7 5 3
10 9 6 4 3
198
HELPLESS! 199
West dealt and bid a Spade, North overcalled with
two Hearts, East went to Two Spades and after South
passed, West jumped to three Spades. This last bid closed
the bidding and North opened the King of Diamonds.
South played the seven and North was encouraged to
continue the suit. West trumped the third round, played
the King of Spades, which was taken by the Ace and
another Diamond ruff put West in to draw the trumps,
play the Ace and King of Clubs and win the game with-
out even taking the Heart finesse, as the two losing
Hearts were discarded on the Queen-Jack of Clubs in the
dummy. Played properly, this hand can be saved against
any defense of the adversaries and careless play by the
Declarant will even lose the contract.
The opening lead of the King of Diamonds is the cor-
rect play, but South should overtake it with the Ace
and lead the Singleton Heart. While it is not orthodox
play to lead up to a major tenace suit, the play marks
South with the Singleton and, unless his partner holds
a five-card Diamond suit, the. ruff that will save the game
is assured. The ten of Hearts forces the Queen and on the
trump lead, South should win with the Ace and return
the Diamond. North will be in with the King and the
high Heart forces dummy to cover with the Ace. South
trumps and, unless the Declarant has had the fore-
sight to keep his high trump in the dummy, he cannot re-
enter to obtain a discard of his losing Heart. In
any event, the game must be saved by this line of
play and there is at least a chance to defeat the con-
tract.
Many games are lost by players who take things for
granted, when it is not necessary to do so. While it may
be extremely probable that a certain suit will "break," it
200 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
is bad play to chance everything oa such a contingency,
unless there is no other method of procedure.
On the hand illustrated below, there was no necessity
of burning all bridges before finding out the lay of the
land and the cards.
8
4
9542
AKQ J 9
K Q
* K Q 10 7 3
V 10
^
*AKQ86S2
South was the dealer and his Spade bid was overcalled
by West with two Hearts. North helped the Spades and
West continued the Hearts up to four. When South bid
four Spades, West doubled and South, on his freak dis-
tribution, redoubled. The Hearts were opened and the
Declarant ruffed the second round. With nine Clubs,
headed by the three top honors, it hardly seemed pos-
sible that the suit could be stopped, so the trumps were
taken out, and then the blow fell ! West was void of Clubs
and the Declarant was compelled to accept defeat to the
extent of two hundred points on a hand that appeared
HELPLESS! 201
invincible. He endeavored to console himself with the
usual, "partner, we were helpless on the freak distribu-
tion. If I had led the Clubs, the very first round would
have been trumped." It is, of course, apparent that, un-
less the Clubs are solid, it is useless to take out the
trumps. Correct play would be to lead one round and find
out what happens. If both hands follow, then the way is
easy for a big score. Should the first lead be ruffed, the
Declarant can still make his contract by either of two
methods of play. After West ruffs, his best play is the
King of Diamonds, which dummy wins with the Ace.
South now having the long trump, can take out three
rounds of trumps and concede East one trick in Clubs.
Or, West can be given another Club ruff, and then a los-
ing Club can be ruffed in dummy with the Ace of trumps,
and the trumps taken down, after which the balance of the
Clubs can be made for game, losing but two tricks in
trumps and one in Hearts.
This deal tends to show the great value of four trumps,
when held by one opponent. Quite often it is essential
that one or more trumps must be permitted to make be-
fore the hand can be brought in.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
JUDGMENT
THE most trying player at the Bridge-table is the
one who insists upon playing at least seventy-
five per cent of the hands. He rescues his partner
with strength or weakness and always has another bid of
some sort, when his partner takes him out. It is not much
fun to play cards with a monologist of this kind and little
can be done to squelch him aside from the free use of a
black-jack or a gag.
To bid three suits against the adversaries No Trump
requires an extraordinary distribution, together with
optimism of the highest order. When the rubber game is
in danger of being lost, it is perhaps justifiable to over-
bid in the endeavor to save it, but when the enemy are a
game in, it is better to allow them to win a minimum
rubber then and there, than to set out to win two games
in succession, irrespective of penalties, perspicacity, or
personal pulchritude. With a rubber on its last leg, it
rarely pays to resort to artificial respiration, unless sav-
ing it will at least put it on even terms. To take a penalty
of five hundred points, only to lose out on the next deal
is very bad policy and while it may show considerable
nerve, it is hardly sound Bridge. The player who is con-
tinually fighting the cards is very much like a bull that
a Texas farmer had to keep well fenced in to prevent him
from disputing the right of way with a railroad adjoining
202
JUDGMENT 203
the farm. The bull's particular aversion was the appear-
ance of an engine dragging the daily freight, that seemed
to puff defiance at him as it slowly steamed up-grade.
After many attempts, Mr. Bull succeeded in breaking
through and proceeded to attack his enemy, head-on. The
engineer saw him coming and stopped, so the bull took the
first game with a rattling good bump. As the engine slowly
retreated down-grade, the bull thought to accelerate its
movements and this time charged down with full speed.
Of course the bull had overbid his hand or head and
a game went to the engine. The bull picked himself up, a
bit stunned, but not a whit subdued. With each a game in
and the rubber in sight, a good, strong "bid" ought to dis-
comfit the adversary. It so happened that the engineer
was a man of little patience and having all suits stopped
except the law he called, "without/ 5 and came along
with open throttle, winning the rubber with flying colors,
mostly red.
At the impromptu inquest, a neighbor who had wit-
nessed the battle, remarked to the bull's owner, "that
derned critter suttinly had a heap of nerve/*
"Yaas," agreed the sorrowing farmer, "I sure do ad-
mire his nerve, but damn his judgment."
Unquestionably, more points can be saved by good
judgment at critical times, than in any other way. A
situation that arises time and again is when a player
makes a secondary bid to indicate a lead and finds the
partner with no support for the suit bid. Holding proper
values for a take-out, there is no problem involved, but
when this is not the case, then the attempted rescue is the
greatest instigator of trouble that the game produces. With
a worthless singleton of the partner's secondary suit-bid,
most players seem to think that they must take-out, no
204 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
matter what their holding consists of. Indeed, a number
of text-books strongly advocate such procedure. If the
partner would only wait and see if the contract is doubled,
before jumping to the rescue, it would not be so bad.
Often, the Fourth Hand will not double and the game may
be saved at a comparatively small penalty. Again, a bid
by Fourth Hand will relieve the tension. At any rate, it
will usually work out to good advantage "not to cry until
hurt."
On the hand following, a saving of over 600 points was
scored in a duplicate match, wholly dependent upon
whether North insisted upon rescuing, or refusing to make
a seeming bad matter worse:
* 10 8 5 3
* Q 8 6 4 4
* A K7
A K72
V A 9 4
4 A 10 5
* Q J 10 6
NORTH
SOUTH
AJ
Q 8 6
* KJ 93
* 9 5 42
* Q 9 6 4
V K J 10 7 5 2
* 7
* 8 3
South had the deal and passed. West bid No Trump,
which passed around to South, who now made a secon-
JUDGMENT 205
dary bid of two Hearts. West was not sufficiently strong
to rebid with but one stopper in Hearts, but North in
nearly every instance became panic-stricken and either
bid three Diamonds or two No Trumps. In either case,
East had a sound double. The Diamond bid was an
obvious double and the No Trump denying partner's
Hearts, marked West with something in that suit. The
two No Trump take-out seemed to hold sway and was
defeated for four hundred points. The Diamond was
led, won by the Ace and the ten returned. A Club switch
gave the enemy two tricks each in Clubs and Spades,
one trick in Hearts and four in Diamonds. Although
North held the singleton three of his partner's secondary-
bid, the hand did not call for a rescue. The question might
be open for debate if East doubled, but without that con-
tingency, a pass was the soundest thing to do. It will be
noted that while South's bid is not up to the quick trick
requirements, it stands the only chance of saving the game
by driving the adversaries away from the No Trump
make. Without the Heart bid, North's Diamond opening
gives the No Trump bidder a certain game.
Played at my table, West made an informatory double
over my secondary Heart bid and East left the double
in. West has not a good double after his bid of No Trump,
which accounts for the trouble he got into. My partner,
even after the double, did not interfere and I was allowed
to struggle with my doubled contract. The Queen of Clubs
was led, won in dummy and the finesse of the ten of
Hearts drove out the Ace. The Ace of Diamonds came
next, followed by the ten which I ruffed and played two
rounds of trumps. East was then in the lead and re-
turned the Club, dummy winning and leading a low
2o6 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Spade. Losing two Spade tricks, two Hearts and one
Diamond permitted me to fulfill the doubled contract and
land the game on a hand that every North player but
one thought they could not afford to leave in.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
THE SINGULARNESS OF SINGLETONS
WHEN the initial opening of a singleton works
out badly, it appears to be particularly ag-
gravating to many players. Some players go
so far as to say that they never lead a singleton, unless
the suit has been bid by their partner, and the idea seems
to prevail in some circles that singletons are the worst
openings that can be made and are entirely taboo among
good players.
Of course this is untrue and with the proper type of
hand, a singleton lead is not merely correct, but practi-
cally the only one that should be made.
Holding two or three worthless trumps, with two suits
headed by an Ace or a King, then a singleton opening is
to be recommended. But, when the leader holds four or
five trumps, together with a suit of four or more cards, the
long suit is decidedly preferable as an opening lead. This
rule has 'worked advantageously, both at Whist and at
Bridge for many years, and some of the biggest swings
have been registered by the experienced players who will
not make a short opening when they hold length in
trumps. Even with four insignificant trumps, it requires
four leads of the adversaries high trumps, before they
can hope to bring in their long suit. The old-time player
need not be told that, when he opens a long suit, he has
better than an even chance of establishing it, because
207
208 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
holding at least four himself, the partner averages to hold
as many as either one of the adversaries. On a short open-
ing with 26 cards held by the enemy and only 13 held by
the partner, the chances are more than two to one against
the leader. Playing at the Cavendish Club, one session of
tournament play produced two deals where a tremendous
gain was made by the players who understood this prin-
ciple of opening leads.
A K Q J 10 9 2
* AJ 3
* Q9 6 4
South, after a pass by East, bid three Spades at most of
the tables. West in many instances, doubled and the
opening of the ten of Hearts permitted Declarant to score
twelve tricks for a Small Slam. The low Club lead with the
Jack finesse, dropped the King on the second round and
after that, the Ace of Spades was the only trick that could
be lost. Where West properly opened the Ace of Di-
SINGULARNESS OF SINGLETONS 209
amends, notwithstanding the major tenace that be held, a
force was at once put on the Declarant. After the Clubs
were established, West got in with the Ace of Spades and
another force in Diamonds set up a "long" trump in
West's hand. This situation was quickly disclosed when
the Declarant tried to exhaust the trumps, but he was
helpless and could take in only eight tricks a penalty of
a hundred points, instead of scoring a Small Slam doubled.
Oddly enough, a number of the players who could see
nothing but the singleton opening, labelled the hand as
merely an "unfortunate/ 5 Played at one table, North
rescued the three Spades doubled, with a bid of four
Hearts, which East doubled. Colncidentally, East opened
the singleton Spade and was given the ruff by his partner,
but after that, the enemy gathered in the balance of the
tricks, scoring one over their doubled contract. With the
Diamond opening, even though dummy succeeds in
trumping two or three Diamonds, the Heart contract
should be defeated two tricks.
Often, the desire to punish an adversary's palpable over-
bid is so strong, that a player permits his judgment to
become biased to such an extent, that he doubles the op-
posing bid, when sound tactics would demand a raise of
the partners bid.
Combining poor strategy of this kind with bad play of
the cards, is likely to result in a loss of close to a thou-
sand points on a single hand.
2io LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* Q 10 7 6
K 10 8 5
4 A K 10 3
* 3
4k
V AQ7643 2
* 7 5 4
* A Kg
NORTH
SOUTH
9 8
J9
Q J 8
QJ76 4 2
A ^
* A KJ 543 2
4962
* IQ 8 5
South dealt and preempted .with three Spades, but
West refused to be silenced and bid four Hearts. There is
no question as to North's. proper 'procedure. Holding four
cards of the partner's suit together with excellent quick
trick support, an immediate raise should be given and if
the opponents continue bidding, then it is time enough to
consider a double. North, however, visualizing fabulous
penalties, passed up the chance for a certain game and
doubled.
South, having bid the extreme limit on his original
bid, could not go on and the deal was played at four
Hearts doubled.
Again the insidious singleton hypnotised the opener and
the three of Clubs was started. West won with the Ace
and led a low Heart which North took with the King and
played a low Spade, North figured his partner would get
SINGULARNESS OF SINGLETONS 211
in with the Spade, give him a Club ruff and the two high
Diamonds would give him a minimum penally of two
hundred points. He had planned well but his execution
was favored by his partner. The Declarant trumped the
first round of Spades, played a low Heart to dummy's
Jack, ruffed himself in with the second Spade, pulled the
balance of the trumps and discarded three Diamonds on
the three long Clubs in the dummy, scoring twelve tricks
for a Small Slam. With the proper Spade opening, the
contract will be defeated unless the Declarant finesses the
nine on the first Heart trick. North, of course, should
play low as his one chance for two trump tricks,
On sound bidding, South would play the deal at Spades
and score eleven tricks against any defense, with a good
chance to make a Small Slam, if West led the Ace of
Hearts, after the King of Clubs showed a singleton Club
was in the dummy.
North's contention that he had a right to double a con-
tract of four Hearts, holding four to the King ten over
the maker, was on a par with the epitaph in a country
church-yard.
"Here lies the body of William Jay
He died maintaining his right of way*
He was right, dead right, as he sped along;
But he is just as dead as if he was wrong."
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
TOO LATE!
TO obtain the best results from a difficult Bridge
hand, requires something more than mere per-
functory knowledge and mechanical skill. When
the adversaries are capable of playing their cards to the
best advantage, many hands that seem a "lay-down" for
game, may be defeated for hundreds of points, unless
"vision" is met with "supervision" and the best defense is
met with perfect offense. Very often a deal that appears
to be good for a certain game, meets with an unexpected
defense that changes the entire aspect of the situation.
Instead of trying to circumvent such procedure, many
players are too prone to admit defeat and give up the
ghost. On the following deal, over a thousand points
difference would have been registered if the Declarant, on
the rubber game, had succeeded in playing the hand for
all it was worth.
212
TOO LATE !
213
North dealt and started with a Club, winch South over-
called with a Spade. West mentioned the Hearts and
South finally landed the contract at four Spades, doubled
by West and redoubled by North. The King of Hearts
was opened, ruffed by South and a low Spade led. The
Jack finesse held and the play of the Ace located the two
missing Spades with West. It is apparent now, that the
Declarant cannot get his hand in without ruffing another
Heart. Should he attempt this play to force out the King
of trumps in West's hand, another Heart ruff will ruin
him. The Hearts will be brought in and the hand set for
four hundred points. Playing the Clubs and permitting
West to make two trump tricks is the correct play at this
stage, as the Declarant will have but one Diamond trick
to lose at the end and will succeed in fulfilling his con-
tract All this was nicely thought out by South, but West
skilfully wrecked the craft, by refusing to trump the
214 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
second round of Clubs. Instead, he discarded a Heart and
ruffed the third round, after which he led the King of
Diamonds. This play effectually removed the reentry for
the Club suit and there was nothing left for South to do,
but take a Diamond discard on the Club, West ruffing
with the King of Spades. Losing two Diamond and two
trump tricks, the Declarant was set for only one trick.
Granting the excellence of West's defense, the Declarant
was wholly to blame for losing this hand. Correct tactics
by South would not have given West the opportunity to
distinguish himself. At the fourth trick, when the De-
clarant led the Club, he was several tricks too late to save
the game. After trumping the first trick, it should be ap-
parent that, not only the game, but a Small Slam can be
made, unless all five missing trumps are in one hand.
Such a distribution seems most unlikely, because if it were
so, the adversaries would doubtless have doubled three
Spades, instead of waiting until the contract got to four.
The error was in taking the trump finesse. This play could
not gain unless West held exactly two trumps. Proper
play would have been to take the first Spade trick with
the Ace, lead the Jack and overtake with the Queen, so
as to obtain an uninterrupted run of the suit if West re-
fused to win the second round. After forcing out the King
of Spades, the Declarant must take the balance of the
tricks. Should West lead the King of Diamonds, it must
be won with the Ace in dummy and now the Declarant
can afford to ruff himself in the lead with the Heart, so
that he can draw West's remaining trumps. The six Club
tricks will afford discards of the three losing Diamonds
and the only trick that the enemy can take is the King of
Spades.
Possibly the most exasperating type of hand to play is
TOO LATE!
215
the one that seems easy for the game until everything
goes wrong. The apparently set-up suit is stopped by the
opponent and the "natural finesse" proves to be a loser.
To allow for such contingencies and still win out, requires
technique somewhat above the average.
A A Q 4
V 10 6 3
* Q S 3 2
* Q 9 6
10 8 6 2
A Q 9 4
10
J 872
NORTH
SOUTH
\ * KJ 9 S
V K 8
* 1043
* 73
J7S
4 A K 6.4
* A K 5
South secured the contract with a bid of one No Trump,
'disdaining the four-card suit bid with a holding of four
quick tricks. The four of Hearts was opened and three
rounds of the suit were played, setting up the Jack with
the Declarant. On the third round of Hearts, East dis-
carded the nine of Spades and West led the two of that
suit. At this point, the time to count was at hand. If
the Diamond suit will "break" or the Spade finesse
"stand-up/' the game cannot be lost. East's discard of
the nine is a "come-on" card so the Spade finesse ap-
pears to be a forlorn hope. West has shown a holding of
216 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
four Hearts and probably has four Spades also. In re-
sponse to his partner's call, he led the two, which should
be from a suit of four, or a singleton. If the latter, then
East originally held seven to the King- Jack-ten, hardly
possible without a bid. With eight cards accounted for,
West must have five cards in Clubs and Diamonds, which
must be divided either three and two or four and one. If
a five-card suit were in West's hand, that suit should have
been opened, in lieu of the four-card Heart suit. Should
the distribution be three and two, then the Diamonds will
fall and the game is assured for the Declarant. In the
event of the division being four Clubs and one Diamond,
can the Declarant still make the game, or are the pos-
sibilities exhausted? With four Diamonds in East's hand,
the game can still be forced at this stage against the best
defense. The Spade must be ducked, East winning with
the Jack. On the lead of a Club, Declarant takes in three
Clubs and three Diamonds, holding the lead in his hajid
at the end. The Jack of Hearts now forces East to discard
his last Diamond or unguard the King of Spades. The
court of last resort is usually the squeeze play.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
HIDDEN INFERENCES
THERE is no question but that a large number of
hands that are lost, might be saved if the op-
ponents could always find the best defense. It
is not necessarily bad play when a lead is made that loses
the game, if nothing has occurred in the bidding or play
to act as a guide. To always guess right is impossible, but
very often there is an inference or a slight clue that tends
to direct the sharp player into the proper course to pursue*
When the inference is marked, to omit taking advantage
of it, is just as poor play, as to trump the partners high
card or to forget what has been played.
It is, however, on the hidden deductions, that most
players fail to grasp the important significance. What is
termed a bad guess, is very often the direct result of
failure to observe and correctly interrupt opposing bids
that should be quite illuminating and helpful. There are
considerably more hands of this- kind than most players
seem to think and a little time devoted to study of such
situations would improve the game of many players.
218 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A A 10 6 4
V KJ8 S
4 K 10
* QJ9
Q?
A Q" 10 6 4 3
A 6 5 2
A
NORTH
SOUTH
* 8 5
* 7 .
* Q743
* 10 8 7 6 4 2
* K J 93 2
9 2
* J9 8
* K S 3
North had the deal and bid one No Trump, which was
passed by East and South, West overcalling with two
Hearts. This was passed around to South, who now bid
two Spades. West went to three Hearts and North helped
the Spades to three, which bought the contract. If West
had ventured to four Hearts, North would have doubled
and set the hand for three or four hundred points. Many
South players would have at once rescued the partner's
No Trump with two Spades. On South's normal distribu-
tion, the hand should play better at No Trumps if there
is no opposing declaration. As a matter of fact, the game at
No Trump is quite easy on normal play with either a
Heart or Club opening. For West to have doubled the
Spades would have been bad play. The bidding would
indicate that East's cards were negligible and while the
contract might be defeated for a trick, the extra fifty
points was not worth the risk of losing the game if the
HIDDEN INFERENCES 219
doubled contract could be made. The opening lead was
the Ace of Clubs and East's play of the deuce precluded
the possibility of the King of Clubs being in that hand.
With the powerful dummy exposed, it seems a forlorn
hope to get East in the lead, so that he can give his
partner the ruff in Clubs that will save the game. It ap-
peared to West that his best chance was to underlead the
Diamond and if the Declarant did not hold the Queen, he
would be compelled to make a hard guess to win the game.
The Declarant, however, fully cognizant of West's bid
and rebid of the Hearts without holding either the King
or Jack, marked him with the Ace of Diamonds and won
the game by putting up the King in dummy, losing but
one trick each in Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. If the
Declarant had played blindly, without considering the
bidding inferences, the natural play would have been to
permit the Diamond lead to "ride/* as the Jack in his
hand must stop the suit on the third round, irrespective
of the position of the Ace and Queen. Played at the second
table in a team match, this hand was made a big winner,
by correct reasoning on the part of West. The bidding
was the same as at the first table and the opening lead
as before, was the Ace of Clubs. That the game must be
lost unless East can be gotten in the lead is apparent,
but the Diamond underplay to be successful requires
loose play on the part of the Declarant and also the
Queen of Diamonds in East's hand. If there was no better
way, the chance should nevertheless be taken, but there is
a much simpler method of saving the game on this hand.
The bidding of South was considerably more informative
than was West' s and taking advantage of it, not only
enables West to save the game, but to defeat the contract.
With ten Hearts in his hand and in the dummy, there are
220 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* ' ' .--- - .-- --.-- . - ---- -------- . , ,, ^
but three cards in that suit not accounted for. *The De-
clarant originally passed his partners No Trump bid and
subsequently bid two Spades. With a void suit or holding
a singleton, South would have bid the Spades at once, if at
all, so he is marked with at least two Hearts. East, there-
fore, cannot hold more than one and must be able to ruff
the second round of Hearts. West played the Ace of
Hearts for the second lead and the Declarant tried to dis-
guise the situation by dropping the nine of Hearts in-
stead of the two. The Ace of Diamonds was played next
so that the partner should not err in returning Diamonds
instead of Clubs, after which a ruff in Hearts by East and
a Club return set the contract for one trick.
When the cards break badly and seem to deprive the
player of a game that appears a certainty, a bit of self
criticism may be more instructive than berating the luck.
HIDDEN INFERENCES 221
On this deal North started with a Club bid and secured
the contract for two No Trumps after South had twice
rescued with the Hearts. The bidding was not open to
criticism and the opening Diamond lead was conventional.
With the Club suit bunched against him, the Declarant
took in but eight tricks, even after the advantageous
Diamond opening. While the distribution was unexpected
and unusual, nine tricks and game were in sight after the
opening lead and should have been made by correct play.
Instead of taking it for granted that the Clubs would
drop, the game was assured by permitting the opponents
to win one trick in the suit. A slam being out of the ques-
tion, one trick is a small cost to pay for making the game
against any distribution of the cards.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
HANDS WE LOVE TO HOLD
MANY Bridge players who play considerably
better than the average game, seem to be af-
flicted with bad "breaks" of the cards and just
fail to make the game on hands that appear safe for
Democracy. When the quota of hard-luck hands gets a
bit excessive, it is time to sit up and take notice. Very
often, a player capable of deducing certain facts from the
bidding is so pleased with himself, that he ceases to rea-
son further and so fails to properly apply the knowl-
edge he has obtained. One of the worst faults of some
players is their anxiety to ruff a losing card in their
dummy. Strange as it may seem, such procedure is not
always the best thing to do. When the dummy holds a
sufficient number of trumps to exhaust those held ad-
versely what's the hurry? Again, the immediate ruff in
dummy may force a disadvantageous lead that will lose
more than it has gained. The following hand appears quite
simple and yet a prominent tournament player found it
difficult to overcome the bad break of the cards:
222
HANDS WE LOVE TO HOLD 223
* Q 10 7
V 8 5 3
4 KQ J 8 3 2
* A
9 8 5 3
J976
9
K 6 2
NORTH
SOUTH
* J4
42
4 to 7 6 4
* QJ8/3
* A K 6
A K Q 10
+ A 5
* 10 9 5 4
South had the deal and bid a Heart, which was over-
called by West with two Diamonds. The contract was
finally won by South at four Hearts. West bid two tricks
beyond his capabilities, on one dubious assist from his
partner, because the game appeared lost if the enemy
secured the contract. The King of Diamonds was opened,
won by the Ace and the five of Diamonds ruffed in
dummy. After three rounds of trumps, South was in the
lead and awoke to the fact that, unless the Ace of Clubs
was with West, there would be no balm in Gilead. Of
course, the bidding strongly indicated the position of this
important card and the Declarant was well aware of it.
On the low Club lead, West clattered up with the Ace,
principally because the revoke penalty is so severe, and
another Diamond lead forced the last trump from the
Declarant and scuttled the ship. Running with his re-
maining winning cards, South took in but nine tricks.
224 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the contract being defeated for fifty points. That the game
could have been won in several different ways is apparent,
but the outstanding mistake was to ruff the Diamond at
once. The best play would have been to set up the Spade
suit while the dummy had two cards of reentry, one in
Clubs and one in trumps. Three rounds of trumps, fol-
lowed by three rounds of Spades, would have held the
enemy down to two tricks, all they were entitled to. Even
after the initial misplay, Declarant could still have made
the game by drawing only two rounds of trumps before
leading the Clubs. When West is in with the Ace of
Clubs, his only chance is to lead the remaining trump. If
Declarant does not make the mistake of taking out the
King of Clubs, he can yet win the game by setting up
the Spades. It is well to bear in mind that usually the
safest method of winning the game is to set up a long suit,
if it is possible to do so.
One of the freakiest hands I ever played was the one
following. With a hand so powerful as this, it would seem
that there was little room for much variation and yet the
deal showed a gain in a duplicate match of 610 points.
HANDS WE LOVE TO HOLD 225
South dealt, and at the first table, the opening bid was
six No Trumps. To dally with a hand as strong as this
seemed foolish and so the limit was at once bid. West
pondered deepjy, but having profound respect for South's
judgment and ability, he passed and the contract went
at the opening bid and scored a Grand Slam ! The King of
Hearts was opened, won by the Ace and eight rounds of
Spades put West in dire distress. After the first five dis-
cards, West made overtures for an armistice but Bridge
is Bridge and discarding often fits Sherman's discription
of war. West guessed wrong and the ten of Clubs won the
last trick.
At the second table, I held the South hand and ven-
tured to bid one No Trump in fear and trembling* West
doubled informatorily, which I would have done with his
hand, and East bid two Spades. It will be noted that
North did not think it incumbent on him to rescue, with-
out a vestige of a quick trick. If East were sufficiently
strong to pass the double, then a redouble by South would
be a request for North to bid. Knowing that West did not
have more than one small Spade, and would not permit
the Spade bid to remain in under any circumstances, I
passed and West bid three Hearts. North and East passed
and my three No Trumps were overcalled with four
Hearts. At four No Trumps, West evidently considered
himself sufficiently affronted, and doubled. I redoubled,
knowing that if West dragged himself out with five
Hearts, he would surely double my five No Trumps. How-
ever, the redouble was left in, West taking cognizance of
the fact that I had not thought it worth while to bid over
the two Spades. Of course, if East had a single stopper in
the suit he was forced to bid, which seems hardly asking
too much, then West will do very well with the redouble.
226 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
On the play, West did not fare any better than at the
other table and the pseudo-squeeze was again good for a
Grand Slam.
And, in conclusion, I reiterate: *With an invincible
hand, do not preempt."
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
UNBLOCKING
WHEN the rubber game looms up, large and in-
viting, then it requires great restraint to re-
frain from overbidding for a trick or two. One
wee barbed error will harpoon a whale of a hand and
flounder a game that perfect treatment would land with-
out the aid of a net.
The biggest fish and the biggest hand is the one that
gets away, but all the credit is not always due the fish,
nor all the blame to the hook. Occasionally, the fisherman
is no Izaak Walton. It is not winning play at Bridge to
set the enemy for a few tricks when the rubber game can
be won and, therefore, it is generally good tactics to drive
the holder of a game-going hand to the maximum that the
hand is worth. When a player is unable to win a difficult
hand against sharp defense, the result Is never a total
loss, if some good point is brought out that will help win
games in the future.
On the following hand, good defense succeeded in de-
feating the contract, but clever play by the Declarant
would have been successful in offsetting the adversary's
defensive strategy:
227
228 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A A K 10 4
V 2
4 A J 10 9 5
* 7 6 3
J6 3
9 4
742
Q J S 4
NORTH
SOUTH
^982
V Q875
* 8 6 3
* K 10 9
* Q7 S
A K J 10 6 3
+ K Q
* A 8
West dealt and bid a Spade, North and East passed
and South bid two Hearts. On the second round, West
called three Diamonds, North again passed, but East took
his partner back to Spades, on the theory that the bid
contracted for the same number of tricks and had a better
chance for game. South persisted to four Hearts, which
West and North passed. This bid was doubled by East
and all hands passed. Holding four trumps to the Queen
and the King of Clubs with the other two suits bid by
partner, it looked to East like a sizeable sting. West
opened the King of Spades, but the two from his part-
ner caused him to switch to the Ace of Diamonds. When
the Queen fell from Declarant, the Diamond continuation
put him in the lead and he led the Queen of Spades in the
endeavor to make the card of reentry in dummy. It was
apparent that East held three Spades and, therefore,
could not ruff the third round, both from the play of the
UNBLOCKING 229
two on the first round and the bid of three Spades in
preference to leaving in the partner's Diamond bid. On
the lead of the Queen of Spades, West had a bad moment.
If South had no more Spades, refusing to win the Queen
would cost a trick and^possibly the game. West's cue was
in his partner's original play of the lowest Spade. If East
held four Spades, with at least four in partner's hand
from his bid, then South could not hold more than two.
If such were the case then East would have called for an-
other lead of Spades by playing a higher Spade than the
two. If West led the Queen, East would echo, but if the
Ace were led, East would play a higher one and the fall
of the Queen would disclose the situation to West. On this
sound reasoning, West refused to take the trick and South
could do nothing but play the last Spade and trust that
the enemy would make a mistake on the next lead. This
they refused to do and another Diamond lead forced
Declarant to trump and lose a trick each in Clubs and
Hearts, the contract being defeated for 200 points. North's
plaint that his partner had bid atrociously on an impos-
sible hand, when the opponents could have been defeated
for hundreds of points, was only partly true, as good play
on the opening lead, would have won the game for the
Declarant. East's double marks him with the King of
Clubs, together with something in trumps as he holds no
winning cards in the two suits bid by his partner. It is
absolutely essential that dummy must get in, to lead
through East's hand, or the game is hopeless. On the
opening lead of the King of Spades, South should at once
discard the Queen. This unblocking play cannot lose and
must gain, unless East holds but two Spades and can ruff
the third round, a probability hardly possible from the
bidding. West's subsequent play is immaterial, as South
230 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
continues the Spades and must win a trick in dummy.
Even then, Dedarant must be careful to lead the Club
honor instead of the trump. If the nine of Hearts is led,
East must cover and now the Club trick will be lost. The
first lead from dummy should be the Queen of Clubs. If
East covers, the Jack of Clubs will be a card of reentry
for the trump finesse. If East refuses to cover, then the
lead of the nine of Hearts stops the enemy from making a
trump trick.
A situation in unblocking, that arises quite often, was
sent me by a player who seemed very much chagrined at
her failure to save the game. The lady wishes to know if
the game could have been saved without resorting to
guess-work. It could!
4 Q 10 7 4
* KJ93
* J 8 62
* J
* J6 3
* 7 5 *
4 K 10
* A K Q 64
NORTH
SOUTH
4982
V 10 6
* 9 5 4 3
* 10 9 8 7
\
4 A K 5
A Q 8 4
* AQ 7
* S 3 2
South bid a Third Hand No Trump and bought the
contract. The King of Clubs was opened and followed
UNBLOCKING 231
with the Queen, East playing the eight and seven. Of
course, the leader knew from the echo, that her partner
held at least four, but where was the ten? With the pos-
sibility of the singleton ten being with Declarant, the Ace
was played next and the suit was blocked on the fourth
round. East led the Diamond next, but with game in
sight, South refused to finesse, and played the Ace, tak-
ing nine tricks for the game and rubber. Proper play when
holding four or more cards of partner's suit against a No
Trump declaration, is to play the second best on an honor
lead and follow with the next lower card. This method
of play shows at least four cards in suit and unblocks at
the same time. If East had played the nine, followed by
the eight, the situation would have been clear. The nine
being second best, positively marks the ten, when the
echo is completed on the second round. A low lead on the
third round could be made without fear of loss and West
could overtake the fourth lead with the Ace and save
the game.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
UNDERLEADING
MANY plays at Bridge that seem absurdly simple
when all the cards are exposed, are completely
lost in the actual play of the hands. Holding
the Ace-Queen over the King in dummy, most semi-
experts would laugh in derision at the fdea of leading out
their Ace. There are times that such play is not merely
advisable but obligatory. Like the old stand-bys of "al-
ways cover an honor with an honor," "always lead
through strength and up to weakness," and folk-lore of
such sort, it should be borne in mind that these admoni-
tions are not set rules. As a general thing, especially for
the beginner and average player, the advice would be ex-
cellent, if the "always" were omitted. The only sure
"always" at Bridge is to always make your Ace of
trumps.
It is surprising how often hands may be saved and
lost ?by players who have sufficient initiative to depart
from the line of play that is usually regarded as conven-
tional. On the following hand, the pretty play of the
Declarant would have proved futile against double-
dummy defense, but the general run of play is rarely up
to that standard.
232
UNDERLEADING
233
East dealt and bid a No Trump, which South properly
passed. To bid on such a hand as South holds is very poor
strategy. Having the lead, even two low Spades in North's
hand, will most likely bring in the suit and save the game.
Very often, bids in this position, drive the enemy into a
game-going contract, when their No Trump would have
done down to defeat. West .went to two Hearts, which was
a sound take-out and North and East passed. South,
while willing to take a chance on the No Trump, had
different views as to the Heart bid and preempted with
three Spades. This bid is obviously a willingness to take a
penalty of a trick or two in the desperate endeavor to
save the game. If North has fair assistance, the penalty
will be small, while with no assistance, the opponents
must win the game at Hearts. West and North passed, but
East doubled. It is a dose point, as to whether East had
234 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
better raise the partner's bid, double or pass. As the
cards lie, a four Heart contract would have been defeated
by one or two tricks. On the Spade opening, North could
not be prevented from making two trump tricks, if South
played three rounds of Spades, because if West trumped
with an Honor, North would conserve his trumps by re-
fusing to overtrump. Played at Spades, West opened the
King of Hearts, which dummy won with the Ace and led
a trump. East played the ten and was permitted to hold
the trick. The Declarant must lose at least one trump trick
and must try to keep West out of the lead, if possible, so
that the dangerous Diamond suit will not be started. East
continued the Heart lead, which South trumped, led two
rounds of trumps followed with a Club, finessing the
eight, East winning with the nine. Another Heart was led
and trumped and a second Club was played, the Jack
being won by the Queen. East led the fourth round of
Hearts which took the Declarant's last trump, but now
the Clubs were established and South had one still left to
put the dummy in. At the end, East secured one Diamond
trick but the Declarant made nine tricks for his doubled
contract, game and rubber. It will be noted that after the
opening lead, the enemy had but one chance to save the
game. When East won the first Club trick with .the nine,
he must know that the Declarant holds six cards in
Diamonds and Clubs, because West has not followed to
the Spades and South has trumped the Heart. If South
held four Diamonds in his hand, he should try to set one
before his trumps are exhausted, so he probably does
not hold over three. If South holds three Clubs the game
must be won unless East is able to set up an extra Dia-
mond trick before the Clubs are established. The im-
mediate le,ad of the Diamond, notwithstanding that it
UNDERLEADING
seemed the worst possible combination to lead from,
would have saved the game and was the best chance.
Saving a game, with one leg in the grave, is illustrated
on the following hand. Applying the rule of eleven, to*
gether with neat false-carding, was of material help in
making it difficult for the adversaries.
West bid a No Trump, all hands passing and North
opened the five of Clubs. With the powerful dummy ex-
posed, it looked to South that the game was lost beyond
hope. Instead of playing the King, South false-carded the
Ace and when the nine fell from the Declarant the suit
was pretty well located* The four is marked with North
and the three-two in South's hand makes it apparent that
West held three originally. If West has the Queen, it
cannot be prevented from making, by natural play. If
West has the Queen-ten, then an underlead will practi-
236 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
cally force the ten finesse. If North holds the Queen, it
makes no difference, as the suit is solid. South did return
the two and the ten went to the Jack. Although North
marked the King with Declarant, he continued the suit as
South must have four cards .both from the drop and the
return of the two. Any card of reentry that South may
have will permit him to get in and save the game, by lead-
ing the remaining Club. While South's only reentry was
the camouflaged King of Clubs, it was just enough to save
the game.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
FORCING THE BREAKS
IT cannot be denied that some hands at Bridge are
wholly dependent for game upon the location of one
specific card. When it is possible to mark the where-
abouts of this pivotal card, either by the bidding or play,
failure to do so is usually severely punished by loss of the
rubber. That good players are always able to locate an
important card of this kind is very much in the nature of
an exaggeration. There may be guiding circumstances, or
percentages favoring a certain distribution, but quite often
the ranking expert and the veriest tyro are quite on a
par a plebeian "guess" is the only resource left. On the
following deal, the post-mortem discussion should prove
helpful, because this type of hand Is not at all uncom-
mon:
236 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
cally force the ten finesse. If North holds the Queen, it
makes no difference, as the suit is solid. South did return
the two and the ten went to the Jack. Although North
marked the King with Declarant, he continued the suit as
South must have four cards both from the drop and the
return of the two. Any card of reentry that South may
have will permit him to get in and save the game, by lead-
ing the remaining Club. While South's only reentry was
the camouflaged King of Clubs, it was just enough to save
the game.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
FORCING THE BREAKS
IT cannot be denied that some hands at Bridge are
wholly dependent for game upon the location of one
specific card. When it is possible to mark the where-
abouts of this pivotal card, either by the bidding or play,
failure to do so is usually severely punished by loss of the
rubber. That good players are always able to locate an
important card of this kind is very much in the nature of
an exaggeration. There may be guiding circumstances, or
percentages favoring a certain distribution, but quite often
the ranking expert and the veriest tyro are quite on a
par a plebeian "guess" is the only resource left. On the
following deal, the post-mortem discussion should prove
helpful, because this type of hand is not at all uncom-
mon:
4
*
J 7 3 ^
K 10 5
9742
10 3
4 10 8 4
* 9 3
4 J 10 8 iS
* A 9 5 4
NORTH
SOUTH
A Q 9 6
A J 874
+ QS3
* 8 6
A K 5
Q 6 2
A K
KQ J 72
237
238 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South dealt and bid a No Trump, which was passed by
West and North. While East's holding was rather weak,
even for an overcall bid, the two Hearts were called and
South went to two No Trumps, which bid secured the
contract. The nine of Hearts was led, ducked by North
and East, South winning with the Queen. The Clubs were
started at once and West won with the Ace. The second
lead of Hearts enabled East to win with the Jack and
take four tricks in the suit, which with the Club trick
already made, held the Declarant down to eight tricks and
saved the game. North, the dummy, did not seem overly
pleased at the result and contended that proper play by
the Declarant would have won the game.
"Partner," came the wail, "if you had only held off
once on the Hearts, they could never have stopped you
from making the game. West could not hold more than
two Hearts and permitting the nine to win the first trick
would have effectually shut out .three Heart tricks."
"Very true,** replied South, "but how was I to know
that the Ace of Clubs was not in East's hand? His bid of
two Hearts would indicate that he held some side strength
and the Ace of Clubs is the only missing sure trick. If
East, instead of West holds the high Club, then the re-
fusal to take the first Heart trick would have been the
only possible way for me to lose the game."
Of course, this argument was irrefutable, as the prob-
ability of East holding the card of reentry was really very-
strong.
On the next deal, the East-West combination won the
rubber game and North again aired his grievance, that if
the partner had been able to guess what hand held the
Ace of Clubs, the result would have been reversed. Care-
ful study will show that there were two contributory
FORCING THE BREAKS 239
features towards the loss of the game. First, East's bid
paved the way for a Heart lead and the only chance to
save the game as the cards happened to lie. Second, South
did not play the hand properly, as correct play must win
the game, regardless of the location of the Ace of Clubs.
The two important points of this deal consist in baling
West out of Hearts, provided the Ace of Clubs is in his
hand, and in not permitting the Hearts to be established
without hope of stopping the suit twice, if East holds the
card of reentry. Both of these objects can be easily ac-
complished by the simple expedient of playing the King
of Hearts on the first lead. If East foolishly permits the
King to hold, or wins with the Ace and- continues the
suit, the Declarant not only wins the game, but makes an
extra, unearned trick. East's best play is to win the trick
and shift to another suit in the endeavor to put partner
in the lead to come through again. South knows that the
"putting in" process will be impossible unless West holds
the Ace of Clubs, and in that event, South's long suit will
be set and the game won, before the Hearts can be estab-
lished. The key to success is knowing what to do and
doing it.
Another deal that would doubtless prove puzzling to
many good players:
240 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* J6 5 2
* Q
+ J 5
* A KQ 743
* Q97 4
V 10 9 6 5 3
4 A Q 8
* 6
NORTH
SOUTH
4> 10
V K J 8 2
* K 9 7 4 3
* 9 8 2
A A K 8 3
A 74
4 10 6 2
* J 10 5
On the rubber game South had the deal and bid one
Spade, which bought the contract without further com-
petition. The Heart was opened, won by the Ace and
from then on the play was what the average player would
call conventional. It must be remembered that the De-
clarant cannot tell that the Spades are massed against him
and hopes for a three and two distribution of the suit.
The Heart was returned and ruffed in dummy; a low
Spade put South in to lead the last Heart for dummy
to ruff. On the lead of the Jack of Spades, East showed
out, and West could not be prevented from winning two
tricks in trumps and holding the contract down to eight
tricks. If Declarant, instead of leading the last trump
from dummy, had led a Diamond, to try and ruff out the
third round of that suit, West would have led the Queen
of Spades, dropping the Jack and Ace together, still hold-
FORCING THE BREAKS 241
ing the opponents to eight tricks. A better way to play
this hand would have been not to ruff dummy at all. If
the opposing trumps are divided three and two, even
though the Queen does not fall, the enemy cannot save the
game as they can take but two tricks in Diamonds and
one in trumps, before dummy gets in and affords all
needful discards on the set-up Club suit. The perfect play
would have been to discount the possibility of four trumps
being in one hand, as they actually were. When the King
of Spades on the second trick, drops the ten from East, a
low Spade should be led next. Whether West puts up the
Queen or not is immaterial, the game cannot be saved if
the Declarant plays this way. It is true that East might
have held the singleton Queen, which could have been
caught by playing the Ace, but on the rubber deal, the
all important thing is to win the game.
CHAPTER FIFTY
SUIT SYMMETRY
ONE of the fads holding the interest of advanced
Bridge players is distribution and the correla-
tion of one suit with another. Over sixty years
ago, Dr. Pole, In his philosophy of Whist, ably discussed
the play of Whist hands and advised a changed treat-
ment for deals that contained abnormalities of distribu-
tion. At this day, Mr. Ely Culbertson advocates a dis-
tinct method of Bridge play, based largely upon the
division of suits and what he names the horizontal and
vertical suit distribution. While, undoubtedly, there is
much in this theory that should be of benefit to studious
players, it can hardly be called an exact system. To rescue
the partner's No Trump bid when holding a five-card
major suit together with a singleton, is generally conceded
to be good play, if the hand contains certain top-card
strength. But, when the rescue is advised on four-card
suits with singleton holdings, I am far from being con-
vinced. In the play of a hand, I have always been guided
to some extent by the appearance of a singleton. With a
five- or six-card suit and a singleton, I play the hand on
the presumption that one other hand will contain a single-
ton, also. This should not be construed into meaning that
each of the four hands contain a singleton, but only two
of the hands in that deal. The difference in treatment is
apparent in the play of the following hand:
242
SUIT SYMMETRY
243
A K 5 4 2
V 10 5 3
* Q J86
* 10 4
* J
A K 9 7 4
4 10 3 2
* A K 8 6
NORTH
* Q 9 6
V QJ82
+ 75
* 9 S 3 2
A A 10 8 7 3
6
* A K 94
* Q J7
South dealt and bid a Spade, West two Hearts, North
two Spades, East and South passed, West rebid the Hearts
to three and South went to three Spades. East now helped
his partner to four Hearts, and South's four Spades closed
the bidding. The King of Hearts was opened, followed by
the King and Ace of Clubs and the Ace of Hearts was
ruffed by Declarant. A low Spade was won by the King in
dummy and on the return of the suit, East played the
nine and the game depended upon taking or refusing the
finesse. With nine trumps in two hands and normal dis-
tribution of the remaining suits, the chances favor play-
ing for an even break. Holding a singleton Heart, the
Declarant looks for a singleton in one of the other hands.
The dummy is not guilty and East has followed twice to
three suits. If East holds a singleton Diamond, then West
holds four and the lone Spade is marked. Should East
244 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
hold more than one Diamond and West hold two Spades,
then no other singletons are out and the theory of distribu-
tion is disproved on this specific deal. If West held a
singleton it must have been the Spade and the finesse ful-
fills the contract and wins the game. It might seem that
trying to locate a singleton in this way is more of a fetish
than something based on actual fact. Why should a single-
ton be in two hands instead of in only one? It should!
Logically and mathematically it works that way. Let us
look into the matter and see why. Holding five cards of a
suit, the balance remaining must be exactly eight cards.
Divided into three hands, the closest division must be
three, three and two. This division will obtain less than
half the time and there are always the other three suits
to be considered. For the player who prefers to prove his
own conclusions, it is a simple matter to remove from a
deck the thirteen cards contained in South or West's
hand, shuffle and deal the remainder into three packets.
Repeat the operation a hundred, or even ten times and
note how close to seventy percent of the times exactly one
singleton will show up. Departing from a custom that is
generally followed and winning seven times out of ten,
should not be detrimental to the average player's game.
A deal where the suit symphony appeared, although it
did not enter into the clever play that was needed to win
the game is the one following:
SUIT SYMMETRY
245
V Q 10 9 8 5
+ AKJ 643
* Q 8
South had the deal and bid a Spade, West passing,
North calling two Clubs and East two Hearts. On the
second round, South went to two Spades and after two
passes, East bid three Diamonds. South and West now
passed but North, on the partner's rebid after his denial,
helped him to three Spades, East went on to four Dia-
monds and South to four Spades. West bid five Diamonds
and after two passes, South called five Spades, which
West doubled. On East's two suit showing, it appeared
to South that five Diamonds were not beyond the capabil-
ities of the adversaries, although the Diamond contract
should have been defeated for one or more tricks.
Played at the Spade contract, West opened the two
of Hearts, which the Declarant won and at once took two
rounds of Clubs, discarding a Diamond on the second
round* The trump was next led and West won with the
246 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Ace, led a low Diamond and the Heart ruff set the con-
tract for one trick. If the trump had been led before the
Clubs, which careless players would have done, the
penalty would have been three tricks, as West could have
ruffed two Hearts while East made two tricks in Dia-
monds. Sharp play by the Declarant after the opening
lead, would have produced the gratifying result of mak-
ing the doubled contract against any opposing defense.
Study the illustration a moment and see if the best play
is apparent? That the Heart lead was a singleton is ob-
vious, not so much from the symmetry theory as from
East's original bid. If East can be prevented from ob-
taining the lead and giving his partner the ruff in Hearts,
then all will be well. When the Queen of Clubs falls on
the second round of the suit, that hand is marked, both
from the bidding and play, as holding originally five
Heart's, six Diamonds and two Clubs. It must be remem-
bered that East bid up to four Diamonds, before receiv-
ing support from the partner. A third round of Clubs
should be led from dummy and the last Diamond dis-
carded from Declarant's hand. West will, of course, win
the trick, but South ruffs the first Diamond lead and the
Ace of Spades is the only trick left for the enemy. Even
if East had held one trump, he would probably pass the
Club, when South does not follow to the second round.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
HOW SLAMS ARE MADE
WHEN a Bridge player in the course of an eve-
ning's play, holds a large number of trickless
hands, he can hardly be expected to be overly
cheerful. Even a player of the highest ability cannot win
with .worthless cards. To lose small rubbers and minimize
the loss is the surest sign of a good player. The bad luck
will not last forever nothing does. It will prove helpful
to a player's state of mind to endeavor to visualize the
big hands that are due to come before a great while and
strike an average. The reverse side of this problem is of
equal importance. Holding a series of big hands, unless
the maximum is made, there will not be sufficient surplus
to carry over for the next lean period. To many players,
the loss of a trick, or even a game, seems of little moment
when they are having a lucky streak. It is this class of
player who most loudly bewails his luck when the cards
start to fall against him. The old maxim that "the cards
never forgive/* is rather more of a mathematical law than
it is a fatalism.
There are quite a few hands at Bridge where the
rubber game is being played and the fortunate Declarant
can land the game by several different methods of play.
Should he fail under such circumstances, it hardly seems
that he is justified in railing at fate when the rubber is
lost. Even good hands need a bit of petting.
247
248 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* J 10 7 5 3
K 10
^952
* Q95
9 8
Q73
J6
K 10 8 6 4 2
NORTH
SOUTH
J985
K8 743
J
* A K 6
A 6 4 2
* A Q 10
* A 7 3
South dealt and ventured one No Trump, which was
not overcalled. With a hundred Aces and eleven of the
twenty honors, it assuredly seems that the hand was good
enough for the game. The five of Spades was opened and
East's Queen forced the King. Holding nine Clubs headed
with the Ace and King, South led the Ace, and when the
Jack fell Fourth Hand, it appeared that the Queen might
fall on the second round. With nine cards of the suit in
sight and no singleton as a guide to the symmetry theory,
the percentage seems to favor the play for an even divi-
sion. Not being successful in dropping the Queen, South
led another round of Clubs and West won, clearing the
Spades on the nezt lead. The Declarant then led a low
Heart, but West was on the alert and hopped up with the
King. Winning three tricks in Spades and one each in
Clubs and Hearts was enough to save the game* That all
theories and conventions are taboo when the rubber game
HOW SLAMS ARE MADE 249
is waiting to be won should be uppermost in the player's
mind in this position. The finesse of the ten of Clubs must
be taken, even though East should win with the singleton
Queen, because the dummy's only certain card of reentry
is the third Club in Declarant's hand, and five Clubs are
all that are needed to win the game and rubber. After the
error of refusing the Club finesse is made, there is still
another chance of winning the game and as the cards lie,
this chance would have proved successful. The Club suit
should be abandoned and the Jack of Diamonds led and
finessed. After two rounds of Diamonds, the low Heart is
led from South's hand and the King in West's hand will
give Declarant the nine tricks needed for game. That this
method of play is much better than the Club continuation,
when the Queen does not fall, is apparent, because unless
the King of Hearts is with West, the dummy cannot ob-
tain the lead with the Queen to make the balance of the
Clubs. But, the prettiest part of this deal is that perfect
play by the Declarant will enable him to score a Grand
Slam, irrespective of the adversaries* best defense. Prop-
erly finessing the ten of Clubs on the second round, the
Jack of Diamonds should be played next. There need be
no hurry in running off the set-up Clubs, as South's dis-
cards will be embarrassing and the dummy hand must be
in the lead at the eleventh trick to have a chance for a
squeeze play. The Diamond King being located with East,
a slam must be made if West holds the King of Hearts.
After three tricks are won in Diamonds, dummy discard-
ing a Heart on third round, South plays the Ace of Hearts
and then leads his remaining Club. When dummy plays
the last Club at trick eleven, South holds the Ace and six
of Spades, dummy holds the Queen of Hearts and the nine
of Spades and West holds the Jack-ten of Spades, the
250 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
King of Hearts and an impossible discard still to come.
Throwing the King permits dummy to make the Queen
and discarding a Spade allows Declarant to make both
of the Spades. East's cards are immaterial and it should
be noted that even though he retain his two Spades, they
must be lower than the six, as the original lead of the
five, on the rule of eleven, locates every higher card in
the suit but one. This one, the Queen, was played by
East to the first trick.
At first glance, it seemed that the refusal of the De-
clarant to take the Club finesse at the third trick was
costly merely because it meant the loss of game, but care-
ful diagnosis showed that correct play made a difference
of five tricks and a Grand Slam. When it is further con-
sidered that the rubber game could not be lost, no matter
how the cards happened to lie, if the play was proper, then
the difference between knowing what to do and merely
guessing is greatly accentuated.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
THE SPADE CONVENTION
"W ^1T THILE certain conventions at Bridge are predi-
%/%/ cated on sound reasoning, it is a mistake to
T T play every hand on the presumption that any
arbitrary method of bidding or play must be followed.
The so-called Spade convention, strongly advocated by
Wilbur C. Whitehead, will undoubtedly prove a winning
procedure in the majority of instances. This convention
is used when a No Trump bid is doubled informatorily.
If the doubler's partner holds four or more Spades, he
is asked to call that suit in preference to a longer and
stronger Heart or minor suit. The inference is that the
doubler is either prepared to support a weak Spade bid
or can run to another suit or No Trumps, when normal
length in Spades is shown by the partner. It is apparent
that a forced Spade bid of this kind must not be supported
unless the partner has exceptional strength in Spades, or
the Spades are rebid by original caller. Where this con-
vention is thoroughly understood, many hands that could
only be won by a lucky guess, are made quite easy and
simple. A freak bidding hand that the Spade convention
should have piloted into a safe harbor, was played in a
Canadian tournament and put many of the experts hors
de combat. The loss incurred by improper bidding on
this one deal, was about six hundred points.
251
252 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* QJ7
V K 10 7 5
+ Q J 6
* A K 9
West had the deal and bid a No Trump, which North
passed and East bid two Hearts. South doubled informa-
torily, West passed and North bid three Clubs. I sat
in the North position and the abnormal length in Clubs
induced me to ignore the Spade convention for the time
being. If South had doubled for a Spade bid, there would
doubtless be more bids made. East now bid three Dia-
monds, South and West passed and I bid four Clubs.
This bid should tend to show that North would have
bid the Clubs without the forcing double. East went on to
four Hearts, South and West passed and I now bid four
Spades. If South held five or even four Spades, the game
might be possible at that make, while five Clubs could not
be made without strong support. It should be noted that
the Club bid and rebid practically denied a holding of
four Spades and upon East's pass South should have
THE SPADE CONVENTION 253
bid five Clubs. North's belated Spade bid should be con-
strued as holding four worthless Spades and a desire to
play the hand at five Clubs, unless the original double
showed exceptional strong Spade assistance. South did not
grasp this inference and passed, West doubled and the
choice was again left to South, but the return to Clubs
was not made and the hand was defeated for three hun-
dred points. If the adverse Spades had been divided
evenly, the contract was possible and the hand was played
in the hope that the distribution was favorable. Played
at five Clubs, which would assuredly have been doubled,
a Small Slam must be made on the Queen of Hearts open-
ing. Dummy would refuse to cover with the King, but
Declarant would ruff three rounds of the suit, putting
dummy in with two trump leads. When the Ace of Hearts
dropped on the third round, the nine of Clubs would be a
reentry card to afford a Diamond discard on the King
of Hearts and the Ace of Spades would be the only trick
that the enemy could take.
Curiously, this deal was played at the next table by the
East and West pair, after the adversaries had the op-
portunity for a large gain. At this table, West doubled
four Clubs and South, almost certain that the contract
could be made, redoubled. Again, that Shylock pound of
flesh! East, too, thought the Clubs would be made and
bid four Hearts which South doubled and the Declarant
by good play, succeeded in fulfilling his contract.
It appears that if East is forced twice with the Clubs,
that South must make two trumps, together with one
trick each in Spades and Diamonds, but this is not so
unless East errs in taking three rounds of trumps. On
the first lead of Clubs, East ruifs and leads the Queen of
Hearts, South refuses to cover, but on the second round,
254 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the ten forces the Ace. The Ace of Diamonds is now
played and South is permitted to win the second round
with the Queen. The Ace of Clubs follows and if East
trumps, the contract will be defeated. Instead of trump-
ing, East discards the four of Spades and South is forced
to switch as dummy can ruff the third round of Clubs.
On the switch, South's high trump is forced out and his
remaining trump is picked up. It should be noted that
if Declarant had played three rounds of Diamonds in-
stead of only two, that South could safely force the
dummy with the third round of Clubs, as East would be
short of reentries to force out the high trump and pick
up the little one.
Very often a hand that seems impossible for the game
can be won by sharp play.
A Q 6 4 2
10 7
4 A K 8 6
* Q43
4 J8 3
V 643
+ J94
* J9 S
NORTH
SOUTH
* A K 9 7
V Q8 5
+ Q5*
* A 7 6
A 10 5
V A K J 9 2
4 10 7 3
* K 10 8
THE SPADE CONVENTION 255
North bid a Diamond, which East doubled, South
passed and West went to two Clubs. North and East
passed and South's two Hearts, secured the contract.
The two of Clubs was opened, won by the Ace and East
played the King of Spades. South can see that the game
can hardly be won unless East kindly plays the Ace of
Spades, so that the Queen in dummy will afford a discard
for the losing Diamond. That East will be a good Samari-
tan is not likely, so it is incumbent on Declarant to fur-
ther his own cause. On the King of Spades, South plays
the ten, which, instead of coaxing a continuance of the
suit, seems the best method of inducing a switch. East
returns the Club, which can do no harm, as the original
lead of the two shows the suit to be divided. Dummy is
permitted to win with the Queen and now a low Spade
lead puts East in a quandary. On the infonnatory double,
West bids an indifferent four-card Club suit and so could
not have had four Spades to the Jack. South is marked
with at least one more Spade, and from the fall of the
ten, it seems like the singleton Jack. As the cards lie, the
game can only be saved by playing low on the Spade lead,
but most" players in East's position would not dare to
take a chance on the singleton Jack winning. It might be
said that If East held the Jack of Spades also, that the
Declarant's camouflage play would be of no avail This
is granted freely, but no alternate method of play would
have been better.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
PIVOTAL HANDS
IF a Bridge-player could always do the right thing
at the right time he would be unbeatable. To be
able to judge the best procedure at critical times is
doubtless the greatest asset that a player can have. There
are countless hands where the question is so close that
it seems almost the toss of a coin, whether the game can
be won or lost, or a large penalty given or taken. Saving
the rubber game at the cost of a minimum penalty is fine
strategy, but it is a decidedly different .matter when the
opposing side has contracted for more than they can
accomplish. On most deals there is some guiding factor
to help the player to arrive at a sound conclusion and
it might be instructive to endeavor to locate the flaw in
the bidding of the following hand:
256
PIVOTAL HANDS
2 57
* 7 4 2
K J 8 6 4
* 3
* 9 5 3 2
, East dealt and bid a No Trump, South passed and West
called two Spades. North and East passed, South went
to three Diamonds, West three Spades and again North
and East passed. Now, South showed his two-suiter by
bidding four Clubs, West continued to four Spades and
North helped the Clubs to five. East doubled and all
hands passed. Before commenting on the bidding of this
interesting deal, I will say that the contract should have
been defeated for one trick, but the perfect defense that
was essential to accomplish this result was not forthcom-
ing and the contract was made an earned reward for
good bidding by the North and South players.
The King of Spades was opened, ruffed by South and
the Ace of Diamonds played, followed by a low Diamoiid
which dummy ruffed. A low trump was led, won by the
King and another Diamond ruff set the suit Now the
258 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
last Club was led from dummy, East again ducked and
was held down to one trick each in Hearts and Clubs.
East played badly in not going up on the second trump
lead. It was good play to duck the first lead of trumps,
because South had bid Clubs secondary and West might
easily have had the Queen or King and should be given
a chance to make it. When the Declarant went up with
the King and dropped the Jack, East thought his part-
ner might have the Queen, but this was rather far-
fetched. South's bid could hardly have been made on
less than five in suit. If East had played the Ace on the
second round and forced Declarant with another Spade,
it would have taken the last trump to exhaust East and
the Heart trick could not be made, as East would discard
on the Diamonds, the two losing Hearts. Had the contract
been set, it would still have been an excellent gain for
South, as game at Spades, with a large honor count was
practically assured and plainly indicated by the bidding.
North's assist of the Clubs to five was correct, if only as a
game saving device. It appears that a penalty of not
more than two tricks will be lost and from North's view-
point, to save the game at Spades seems hopeless. If West
had had the original bid on this deal, three Spades ap-
pears the best call. In view of the partner's No Trump
bid, West should have bid three or four Spades. If three,
then East could have jumped to four, as the game appears
certain with a preemptive bid from partner. If South
had ventured to bid five Diamonds over such bidding, the
Clubs could hardly have been shown and the penalty at
Diamonds would have been most severe.
Another deal where a five Club contract was doubled
and defeated by good play:
PIVOTAL HANDS
259
Q 10 6 3
10 7 5 3 2
Q9 54
After East had started with a Heart, South bid Dia-
monds and West Clubs, until the contract went to five,
which South doubled. It is apparent that, if North opens
the Queen of Diamonds and follows with a little one,
West cannot be prevented from making his doubled con-
tract, as two Spades can be discarded on the set-up Heart
suit, after the trumps are taken out. The correct lead of
the four of Diamonds, which is proper when holding four
cards of the partner's suit, enables South to infallibly
count West void of the suit after the first round. North
has twice supported the Diamond call, so the lead cannot
possibly be short. West's rescue of the partners Heart
bid into a minor suit, precludes the probability of his
holding three Hearts, so it is obvious that Dedarant will
obtain at least two Spade discards on the set-up Hearts
in dummy, unless radical measures are taken at once.
260 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
The Spade reentry must be taken out before the Ace
of Clubs is forced out of South's hand or there is no hope
for saving the game. The King of Spades was, therefore,
led and the Declarant was compelled to try for one
Spade discard on the Hearts. South ruffed the third
round with a low trump and was over-ruffed by West, but
the Queen of Spades could not be shut out and the
contract was defeated by one trick. The lead of the
King of Spades instead of a low Spade was the better
play, because some partners refuse to make a sacrifice
and with the Ace over them, might not have put up
their Queen. Unless North held the Queen of Spades,
there was nothing left but to resign.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
HANDS REQUIRING UNUSUAL TREATMENT
IN the ordinary course of play, three distinct types
of hands appear sufficiently often to include all but
a few of the so-called "freaks." First, there is the
deal that is termed "a flat hand." Practically no play is
required but to take in the winning tricks and concede
the balance to the enemy. On these deals the novice and
the expert are very likely to obtain precisely similar
results. Occasionally, the expert, In snooping around for
an extra trick that is not there, will fare a bit worse, but
generally no material difference is apparent. The second
type consists of deals where finesses must be taken, long
suits set up and conventional strategy employed that will
win tricks that do not show on the surface. The player
who has advanced beyond the preliminary stage, should
do as well with such hands as the long-experienced one.
It is on the third type of hands that the expert must
count upon to make his gains. Hands that need excep-
tional treatment, seemingly at variance with the recog-
nized conventions because plays that offer a fifty per
cent chance for the game are refused and methods sub-
stituted that either win against any distribution, or yield
an extra chance to do so. A finesse in a suit of normal
length has no better than an even chance to win, but If
the adversaries will kindly lead into the tenace, or be
forced to do so by the Declarant's skilful manipulations,
261
262 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
then the doubtful game is profitably transformed into a
sure game, an end devoutly desired.
Only on rare occasions is there anything better to do
in the play of a No Trump hand, than to set up the long
suit as quickly as possible. In the following tournament
hand, accurate marking of the position of certain high
cards enabled the Dedarant to win a game that many
players would lose:
East dealt and passed, South bid a No Trump, which
secured the contract without further bidding. The six of
Spades was opened, won by the King and the second
round was taken by the Ace. The Clubs were then led
from dummy and the first round won by the Jack, It
seems that the best play Is to clear the Club suit, before
the Queen of Spades is taken out of the hand, but a little
UNUSUAL TREATMENT 263
careful counting will prove that the soundest play calls
for an immediate switch to the Heafts, East has passed
originally and already has shown up with the King of
Spades and the Ace of Clubs. If the Ace of Hearts were
in his hand, the pass would have been ultra conservative,
so that important card is doubtless with West. To re-
move the card of reentry for the Spade suit, stands the
best chance of winning the game. If West wins the King
of Hearts and dears the Spades, the Dedarant should
set the Clubs and if East has a Spade remaining to
lead, then the game is assured as the enemy have but
two Spades and two side Aces to make. On the play,
however, East is marked out of Spades and will prob-
ably lead a Diamond. The finesse must be refused, as
with four Clubs, two Hearts, two Spades and one Dia-
mond, the Declarant has the game before him. Should
West hold off on the Hearts to preserve his card of re-
entry, a second round should be led and if this, too, is
refused, then the Clubs must be gone after. It is obvious
that the game must be won, if the long suit is abandoned
temporarily, the opposing card of reentry abstracted and
the finesse of the Diamond, a play that appears quite
natural, is refused.
Sometimes the modern system of bidding, that re-
fuses to bid No Trump with a short worthless suit when
a good four-card suit is in the hand, 'makes it essential
that the cards be played perfectly to win the game. On
some specific hand, the game at No Trump may be easily
made, but on the average, the approaching bid will show
the best results:
264 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
4
*
K 5 2
9 5 4
A Q 9
10 9 7 3
A Q 9 6
V 10 8 6 2
4 10 3
* Q 8 6 4
NORTH
SOUTH
10 8 4 3
K 3
K J 87 5 4
A A J 7
V AQ J 7
462
* A K J- 5
On this deal, South as dealer, has the choice between
three bids, Clubs, Hearts or No Trump. In actual play
Hearts were bid and after passes by West and North,
two Diamonds were bid by East, South doubled informa-
torily and North bid two Hearts. Again it was a question
whether North had not better bid two No Trumps un-
doubtedly the preferable call at this point. If the No
Trumps had been bid by North, it should be noted that
the best strategical position would have been obtained
by the original suit bid in preference to the No Trump.
Played at Hearts, West opened the ten of Diamonds
and the first play by dummy is of vital importance. If
the Ace is played, the game is hopeless against perfect
defense. Playing the Queen, which is taken by the King,
makes it hard sledding for East. The Diamond return up
to the tenace, is not to be thought of, so the singleton
Club appears the best chance. South wins with the Ace,
UNUSUAL TREATMENT 265
puts dummy in with the King of Spades and takes the
trump finesse. The Diamond gets dummy in for the
second trump finesse a play that South cannot know is
unnecessary and when the King is played Second Hand,
the trumps are discontinued. Two rounds of Clubs puts
West in with the Queen, and he plays the ten of Hearts,
dropping the nine from dummy and the Ace from De-
clarant. Careful play has kept the high Club in dummy
and that reentry card permits the lead of the remaining
Diamond, which is trumped with the seven and over-
trumped by the eight. Now West is forced to lead up to
the tenace in Spades and the game is won. If West, in-
stead of the trump lead, had led the losing Club, the result
would have been the same. South would have played the
top Heart on dummy's trump lead, followed with the
seven and the Spade situation would have been forced
as before*
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
THERE IS OFTEN SAFETY IN VALOR
PLAYS that call for outstanding adroitness occur
at Bridge more often than the casual observer has
any idea of. Many games may be won when the
situation appears desperate, by exceptional play that is
not tabulated under the various coups featured by the ex-
perts. Occasionally, a pretty play crops up that seems
rather more of a lucky chance than a masterstroke and
yet close study will show that the bold player usually
has everything in his favor, with much to gain and little
to lose. When brilliant play is made that succeeds in be-
fuddling the enemy, It is just as useful as skilful play
that forces a win against the adversaries perfect defense.
Q J 9 3
K 10 8 5
74
K 6
THERE IS OFTEN SAFETY IN VALOR 267
North dealt and bid a Diamond, which was passed by
East and South's No Trump bid secured the contract.
The opening lead was the five of Hearts and it would be
interesting right here to write down the play of the cards
to the first trick as the average player would probably
play them. While there hardly seems opportunity for ma-
terial variation, the winning or losing of the game was
actually dependent upon the play to the first trick, al-
ways provided that the opposing defense did not go
astray. Two factors are of vital importance on this deal.
The location of the King of Clubs and the Ace of Spades.
If East holds the missing Club honor, the game must be
made without fail. Should the King be with West and
the Ace of Spades be with East, then the game cannot
be won, unless the defense errs. It would be obvious to
West, when in the lead with the King of Clubs, that the
Declarant has enough tricks in sight to assure the game,
unless sufficient tricks in Spades can be made before the
lead is relinquished. The switch to Spades would be
imperative, unless West held the Ace himself, and to guard
against such a lead, South plays a coup that, while dar-
ing and bold, is nevertheless practically sure to prove suc-
cessful. Playing to the first trick, East's Jack of Hearts
is won by the Ace instead of by the Queen. The ten of
Diamonds is next led and the Queen played in dummy.
Now the Jack of Clubs is ^finessed and on West winning
with the King, the continuation of the Heart suit is
marked. With the partner's Jack driving the Ace, it ap-
pears that the Queen is infallibly located with East and
West has nothing better to do than lead a low Heart,
fully expecting his partner to win with the Queen and
save the game before the Declarant can reel off his win-
ning tricks in Clubs and Diamonds. In the actual play
268 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
of this hand, West was greatly surprised at the turn of
events and inquired of South how he happened to play
the Ace on the Jack of Hearts, when the Queen would
have won the trick?
Rather facetiously, South replied: "Oh, I guess I must
have pulled the wrong card."
West's response told the story: "It was hard luck for
us, partner. If I hadn't been sure that you held the Queen
of Hearts, I certainly would have abandoned the Heart
suit and shifted to the Queen of Spades."
The following deal illustrates neat play that was pred-
icated upon the state of the score:
A 10 8 7 6
^ I 9 6 3
4 2
* 8 7 6 2 -
J 9 5
Q 10 7 4
A 8 4 3
10 4
NORTH
SOUTH
* A Q 4 2
8
+ Q J 97
* A Q J 3
* K 3
V A K 5 2
+ K 10 6 5
* K 9S
South was the dealer and bid a No Trump, West and
North passed. East doubled, hoping his partner could
name one of the four-card suits that he held. West's re-
sponse of two Hearts might have been expected and East
THERE IS OFTEN SAFETY IN VALOR 269
was prepared with a bid of two No Trumps, which se-
cured the contract. The five of Diamonds was opened
and on the eleven rule, the Declarant could count the
six cards in sight, that must beat the five. The eight
from dummy held the trick and the ten of Clubs was
finessed to the King. South now switched to the two of
Hearts and dummy's ten went to the Jack. North re-
turned the low Spade, which was won by the King and
South unhesitatingly again underled the Ace-King of
Hearts. It was a hard position for the Declarant, but he
took the finesse and was held to seven tricks, one short
of his contract. While South's bold play made it rather
difficult, the Declarant should have succeeded in fulfilling
his contract. On the second Heart play, one of the high
honors might easily have been with North and if the
nine were in South's hand, the finesse would have won.
The winning play would have been to refuse the finesse
in Spades. South is pretty well marked with the King,
and Declarant's best play would have been to play the
Ace at once and then play the Queen of Diamonds. Hold-
ing the ten, South has nothing to lose by covering, but it
is really immaterial what he does. After winning the
Diamond trick, three rounds of Clubs squeezes a discard
from South and any play other than a Heart will prove
fatal to his hand. South is next forced in the lead with a
Spade and after cashing in the two Hearts, he is com-
pelled to lead away from the minor tenace in Diamonds.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
PARTNERSHIP
MANY games are lost at Bridge that might have
been easily saved, if the player were certain
as to the location of a specific card or the dis-
tribution of one important suit. Quite often this knowl-
edge Is as marked as if all the cards were exposed face-
upward on the table and still, probably because it neces-
sitates a bit of reasoning, the chance for game is thrown
away and the loss is charged to the "bad break." It is
surprising what a simple expedient will, at times, make
the difference between winning a doubled contract, or
having a penalty inflicted.
The bidding of the following deal was so informative
that little was left to the imagination. The Declarant was
given credit for clever play in winning the game, instead
of which the loss was directly due to bad play by the
defense.
270
PARTNERSHIP
271
A 8 6
764
* K 6
* AQ J 973
3 2
K 10 5
<?
Q J 10 7 4
IT O
T ^ J * x
* K 8 6
East dealt and bid a Spade, South two Hearts, West
and North passed. East then called three Diamonds and
South went to three Hearts. West supported the Dia-
monds to four and North helped his partner to four
Hearts. East and South passed, but West doubled and all
hands passed. On the partner's two-suit showing, the
chance to defeat a contract of four Hearts appears greater
than to attempt to make a contract of five Diamonds.
three of Spades was opened, won by the Ace and
return of a low Spade was won by the nine in
hand. The double by West marks that hand with bdffi
the missing Kings, which information is of little valti^
except insofar that it is useless to put dummy in, to taS
the Heart finesse. If the adverse trumps are split evenly^
the game appears to be won. South led off the Ace ol
trumps, followed by the Jack, which West took with
272 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the King and led the Queen of Diamonds. If North fool-
ishly covers, East will win with the Ace and a Spade
return will defeat the contract, because West's ten of
trumps cannot be prevented from making. South, how-
ever, read the situation and did not coven The next
Diamond lead was ruffed, the last opposing trump drawn
and the Club finesse won the balance of the tricks. If
East had overtaken the Queen of Diamonds, notwith-
standing that such play establishes the King against him,
the Declarant's good play would have been nullified and
the contract defeated by one trick, when West ruffed the
Spade. While such play would have proven a winner, it
can hardly be called obligatory. East cannot be aware
that his partner holds five Diamonds and that the sec-
ond round of the suit will be ruffed. He has every reason
to believe that he will hold the second round with the
Ace and then the Spade ruff will set the contract for
two hundred points.
The bad play is entirely due to West's poor vision. The
situation should be as plain to him as A B C. His part-
ner has shown two suits with a hand that is plainly
marked with a minimum quick-trick holding. He as-
suredly cannot have less than five Diamonds and the sec-
ond round of the suit will positively be trumped by the
Declarant, To tempt East into taking the Diamond finesse
is nothing less than suicide and West's proper play would
have been the lead of his lowest Diamond. With the
Queen-Jack-ten in West's hand, East naturally marks
one of these cards in the hand of Declarant and cannot
even consider a finesse. The Spade return is forced and
the contract defeated without expecting the partner to
be a second-sight performer.
PARTNERSHIP
273
A deal that required card counting of a much more
difficult nature is the one following:
A Q J 10 8 5
* QS
496
* Q J 8
On this deal North started with a Heart, East doubled,
South passed, West bid a Spade, North passed and East
went to No Trump. West rebid the Spades and there
was no further bidding. With a Heart opening, the game
would be easy for the Declarant, but the proper lead of
the ten of Diamonds made it a battle of wits. It is ap-
parent to the Declarant that if the enemy can get a Heart
trick established before the trumps are cleared that the
game cannot be won. The Ace of Diamonds is played
to the first lead and the nine of Spades is led from dummy
and won by North with the Ace. The false-card of the
Ace, seemingly denying any card between the nine and
the Ace in trumps, is the only way to inform the partner
that if West should be out of Diamonds on the third
274 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
round, it will be useless to continue that suit as West
can easily shut out a low trump. That West may have but
two Diamonds is quite likely as South played the eight
on the first round and the six fell from West. North must
continue the two of Diamonds, both from the nature of
his hand and the come-on card played by his partner, but
he greatly desires his partner to return a Heart and not
a Diamond, unless West must follow. The original bid
by North marks him with two quick tricks. He cannot
hold both the King-Queen of Hearts, or he would have
opened that suit and so his false-card in Spades ap-
parently marks him with at least the Queen of Clubs.
If the trump lead had been won by the King, North
might have held the Ace-King-eight-three, and then the
Diamond play would surely have saved the game. To
a careful card-reader, North's play is the best guide to
his partner, that a Heart lead is imperative.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
PROPER FINESSING
*W"1T THILE it is too much to expect that the so-
\/\/ called "good player" will play every hand
T v perfectly, there are certain types of hands that
a large number of above the average players will habit-
ually play incorrectly. It is not bad play to misjudge
a hand or to make a wrong guess, but when a play is
made that cannot gain under any circumstances, regard-
less of the distribution of the cards, then it unquestion-
ably is improper handling of the cards. Possibly the
most flagrant mistake is made in leading incorrectly when
attempting to take a finesse. Every player who has
graduated from the beginner class, knows it is not good
play to lead a Queen from his dummy to the Ace in his
hand, unless the Jack is also with his holding. If the
King is with Fourth Hand, it will win the trick, and if it
is with Second Hand, the cover will compel the play of
the Ace to win the trick, setting up the Jack for the
adversaries. When, however, the combined hands hold
the Ace-Queen-Jack, then many players believe that the
lead of the honor is obligatory, especially when the
dummy cannot again obtain the lead for a later finesse.
This situation is best illustrated in the play of the
following deal:
275
276 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A Q6 3
Q 9 7
* A 8 4
* Q 10 7 3
A io 8 4
J 82
NORTH
{ A K 9
A K 10 5
* J 9 7 3
* J95
SOUTH
+ 10 5 2
* 8 6 4 2
\ *
4 AJ752
V 6 4 3
* KQ6
* A K
East's Heart bid was overcalled by South with one
Spade, which dosed the bidding. Without the meagre
four-card Heart bid by East, West would have opened
the Diamonds and correct play by South would have
scored a Small Slam. On the Jack of Hearts opening,
three tricks were won in that suit and then East switched
to the two of Clubs. The game hinges entirely upon the
play of the trump suit. Dummy is put in with the Ace of
Diamonds and if the Queen is led, East covers with the
King and no power on earth can prevent West from
winning a trick with the ten and saving the game. If a
low Spade is led and the Jack finessed, the Ace on the
second round will catch the King and the game must be
won. It may seem to some players that this is placing the
cards to prove the example, but the East and West cards
PROPER FINESSING 277
cannot be placed so that the game can be won on the
Queen lead against good defense. If the King is singly
guarded in the East hand, a low lead from dummy must
win the game. Should the King be alone, the lead of the
Queen will set up two adverse trump tricks. On any
different distribution, a low trump lead will not gain, but
neither can it lose a trick. Now, let us see what the prob-
abilities are, that if the King is in the East hand, it is
only once guarded. East is known to have held exactly
four Hearts, and the lead of the two of Clubs shows four
cards in that suit. With five cards remaining in Spades
and Diamonds, it is practically an even chance that either
suit is one of two cards. While the lead of a low Spade
is the only proper play from North, it must be borne in
mind that if either the North or South hands held the
ten of Spades, that the best play would be the Queen,
because now the King in East's hand can be caught, even
if twice guarded, without the attendant danger of mak-
ing good a third-round adverse trick.
One of the greatest helps to the Declarant in winning
games, is to count the number of tricks he can take as
soon as the dummy is put down. When the game can be
won without difficulty, it is poor play to place it in
jeopardy for an extra trick or two. If, however, the game
is in doubt but the contract seemingly safe, then every
chance should be taken to land the game.
278 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
4k 8 6 3
V K 6 5 2
4 A 8 7
* KJ 9
NORTH
4k K J 5 2
\ * 0,9
* J974
A
* Qs
4 K 10
f
* J 9 6 5 3
* 85 3
.SOUTH
* 10 7 4 2
\ *
* A 10 7 4
1
A 10 8
4 Q 4 2
* A Q 6
South obtained the contract for one No Trump, and
the opening lead was the two of Spades. East's Queen
was taken by the Ace and careful count shows that the
Declarant can take in seven tricks. Three other possible
tricks are in the hand if the "breaks" are right. If East's
remaining Spade should be the King, Jack or nine, then
the Declarant must win another Spade trick. Should the
King of Diamonds be with East and the Hearts be di-
vided evenly, then all the possibilities will materialize
in tricks. As the cards lay, only one of the three chances
were favorable, so it required something out of the or-
dinary to' produce a game on this deal.
The first chance to try for is the even division of .the
Heart suit. This play must be gone after in a way to
leave an opening for the enemy to make a mistake. A low
Club is led and won in dummy with the Jack. Then a
PROPER FINESSING 279
low Heart is played and the ten finesse is taken. While
South has little hope of winning this trick. East may be
caught napping with the Queen and Jack of the suit.
Unless the adversaries err, one trick in the suit must be
lost, and West is the best place to put the lead. If a
Diamond lead is obtained, one of the doubtful tricks
goes on the credit side of the ledger. West went on with
the Spades, trusting to find three of the suit with his
partner and when this would not work out, he threw the
lead with the last Spade. South then led the Ace of Hearts
but the Queen falling from East, left little hope for the
extra trick in Hearts. The Queen of Clubs was led next,
dummy overtaking with the King and a low Diamond
was played, trusting that if East held the King, he would
hop up. When the King was not played Second Hand,
the Declarant, marking West with eight cards in the
major-suits could count him with five cards originally
in Clubs and Diamonds. If West held the King of Dia-
monds once guarded, the game might be won. The De-
clarant ducked the Diamond and that play succeeded in
making nine tricks for the game.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
FAITH AND FATE
THE intense yearning that most Bridge Players
have, to obtain the play of the combined hands
is more than passing strange. If this "Play it or
Bust" germ were only indigenous to good players, it
would not be so difficult to understand, but when players
that usually lose a trick on every deal more than they
should, bid cheerfully to three and four Clubs over the
opponents No Trumps, and then bemoan their inability
to play the hand correctly, I often wonder whether inocu-
lation would not be in order. Another form of lunacy is
that of the informatory doubler, who carries his partner's
forced bid to the mauve limit and when the penalty of
four or five hundred has been inflicted, remarks inanely,
"Partner, if you had had a few tricks we would not have
done so badly." Often, with one trick in the partner's
hand, the opposing contract would have been doomed, but
the play of the hand would have gone to the enemy and
that contingency is not to be thought of.
When a player holds a Yarborough and an optimist for
his partner, he rarely escapes as luckily as I did on the
following deal:
280
FAITH AND FATE
281
4> A Q io 4
K Q 7 6
+ K 107
* A Q
KJ7
A J 10 4
A Q 8
K J 10
West dealt and bid No Trump which North doubled.
East passed and I was forced to bid two Spades on the
South hand. West went to two No Trumps and North
helped the Spades to three. East and South passed and
continued passing but West blithely called three No
Trumps and North bid four Spades. This last bid West
apparently considered in the nature of a personal insult
and doubled. North, little daunted, redoubled, although
he admitted his intention was to drive West back to four
No Trumps which he wished to double. West, however,
was not to be "driven," and the contract was played at
four Spades redoubled. Why North did not double the
three No Trump bid will never be known! A penalty of
at least 300 points was in sight while the Spade con-
tract, even with the powerful hand held by North, was
greatly dependent upon the distribution of South's cards*
i LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
should be noted that South at no time had made a
;e bid or entered into the festivities in any way. On
e opening lead. West was in trouble at once, but the
ck of Clubs was his choice finally. Dummy won with
e Queen, took in the Ace and followed with the King
Hearts. West took it with the Ace and continued the
,ck. North played the six and South trumped and led
e eight of trumps. West erred in not covering with
e Jack, so the eight was finessed and, of course, held
e trick. Now, a low Club was led and ruffed in dummy,
tting up the nine in South's hand. The Queen of
earts afforded a discard for a Diamond and the seven
' Hearts was ruffed by South. Now the Diamond was
it through and West played low, but the King went
? and the suit was returned. This trick was taken by
fest but it was his last trick, as South trumped the
ird Diamond, holding the opposition down to two
icks one each in Hearts and Diamonds. Fulfilling the
mtract and securing an additional trick was more
icrative than a double of three No Trumps, but that
oes not alter the fact as to what would have been the
est procedure in the majority of cases.
While, unquestionably, many hands at Bridge are
'holly dependent upon the play of the opponents for
ieir success- or failure, in the long run, sound play must
in. Occasionally, there is an outstanding deal where
idifferent play scores hundreds of points. In a recent
uplicate tournament, every table but one scored a Grand
lam on a deal that seemed foolproof and still, at one
*ble the slam was not only lost, but the contract of four
dd was actually defeated.
FAITH AND FATE
283
* Q
97542
+ 7
* K Q 10 9 8 3
* J8 5
A 8 6
4 A Q 10 9 5 2
* 7
NORTH
SOUTH
* 42
K Q J
+ KJ
* 6 5 42
10 3
AAK.I09763
^8643
* A J
West dealt and bid a Diamond, North two Clubs,
East two Hearts and South two Spades. At nearly every
table the contract went to South at four Spades and the
opening lead of the Ace of Hearts resulted in South tak-
ing in the entire 13 tricks. The Heart was trumped,
dummy put in with the Queen of Spades, another Heart
trumped and the opposing trumps taken out. The Clubs
were next played, dummy overtaking the second round
and the four Diamonds were discarded on the set-up Club
suit. It all appeared so simple that at the table where
the hand was defeated, the Declarant seemed to have
slipped a cog. There was no variation in the bidding at
this table, but West was one of those players who al-
ways "takes a look/* Instead of opening the partner's
Heart suit, he led the Ace of Diamonds and that was
one trick. With the lone Queen of Spades in the dummy,
and three to the Jack in his hand, it was obvious that
284 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
continuing the Diamonds and forcing the dummy hand
would set up the Jack, and thereby save all slams and
that proved sound reasoning for two tricks. When the
Declarant tried to drop the Jack of Spades and found it
wouldn't fall, he endeavored to obtain a Diamond discard
on the Clubs, but West ruffed the second round and
cashed in two more Diamonds and that set the contract.
It will be noted that the Declarant, even with the un-
fortunate break he got, might still have made eleven
tricks if he had fully considered the bidding and the drop
of the cards. Refusal to trump the second round of Dia-
monds would have produced this result.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
THE DIVIDING LINE
MOST Bridge players are ready to admit, that
when they lose two or three thousand points
in a session of play that the cards are not
behaving properly. The other fellow is holding every-
thing! That there may be contributory misbehavior on
the part of the player is rarely acknowledged. The dif-
ference between winning and losing is often the direct
result of poor judgment in bidding or an error in play.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the player
who claims to always hold bad cards. "There ain't no such
animal/* For an evening or two, the cards may undoubt-
edly run against a -player, but the tide will turn and
success must reward the player who is able to minimize
his losses and obtain the limit when the going is good.
While it is granted that every "guess" cannot be right,
especially in the course of the bidding, many players
are handicapped by their inability to reason correctly.
One of the most common faults of a certain class of play-
ers, is to bid two No Trumps when the partner has made
an informatory double of the opponents' original one No
Trump. Rarely is such a procedure a winning play. With
sufficient high cards to warrant considering such a bid,
it is usually far better to simply pass and permit the
double to stand. If the enemy is able to extricate him-
self with a suit-bid, then is the time to think about what
285
286 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
to do. There are few situations more ideal than permitting
the adversary to play a No Trump at a hundred points
penalty per trick, when two strong hands are against
him. On the following hand, the dealer held a fair No
Trump bid and his partner was able to stop two suits
and yet, if the double had been left in, the contract could
have been defeated for three or four hundred points.
East dealt and bid .a No Trump, South doubled, West
passed and North bid two Clubs. It should be noted that,
although South has but the minimum strength for an
informatory double, North's holding is so strong and the
distribution so well balanced, that a pass would have
produced lucrative penalties. Of course, East was well
pleased with the Club bid, but South went to two Spades
and obtained the contract. The first lead was the three
THE DIVIDING LINE 287
of Diamonds, and even with this advantageous opening,
South was not able to score game on the deal. Usually,
with the hand held by West, a Heart opening should
be given the preference, but South's original double
marked him with strength in the major suits, which ac-
counted for West's choice of the Diamond lead. Winning
the first trick with the Queen, South took three rounds o\
trumps, finessing against the Queen in East's hand. Next
the Ace of Diamonds was cashed in and the ten of Clubs
led. East won with the King and led the Ace, before re*
turning the Diamond. South trumped the Diamond anc
led a low Heart, but West cleverly put in the eight anc
this prevented the Declarant from making more than on<
Heart trick. If West had played a low Heart, dumm)
would also have ducked and East would have been forced
to either lead away from the King of Hearts or permi"
the Clubs in dummy to make. The entire play was i
battle of position between the Declarant and adversaries
one trying to force East to lead a Heart and the others
endeavoring to prevent it. Careful study will show tha
after the opening lead, the Declarant could have mad
the game against any defense without trying for tb
impossible. There was no vital need to take out th
trumps in such great hurry, as the Ace of Spades wa
the one sure reentry for the Clubs. The second leai
should have been the ten of Clubs and East can mat
no return that will take out the Ace of Spades before ;
Club is set-up to afford a discard for one of the Hearti
Only one Club trick was necessary to score the game q;
this deal, after the Diamond opening. !
One of the best examples of what can happen when
player makes improper informatory doubles, is illui
trated in the following deal: I
288 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* KJ.93
A Q 9 2
4 A 9 7 4
* J
* Q 10 6 2
^ KJ75
4 K 10 8 6
* 7
NORTH
SOUTH
* 74
8 6 4
* 5 3
* 10 8 6 5 3 2
A A 8 5
10 3
4 Q J 2
* A K Q 9 4
South had the deal and bid a Club, which West
doubled. Many players will double on this style of hand,
because they can support both major suits. There is no
excuse for such a double, because the quick trick value
for an informatory double is two and a half tricks. This
hand contains just half of the necessary requirements.
North redoubled and East passed. The redouble re-
lieved East of the necessity of bidding, but in any event,
if West had a sound double, the contract should be dif-
ficult to make. South passed and West also passed fool-
ishly although any bid he could make would have been
doubled by North. The two of Spades was the opening
lead, which was taken with the eight and the ten of
Hearts led. West covered with the Jack and dummy won
with the Queen. The Jack of Clubs took the next trick
and a Spade lead was won by the Ace. The Ace of Clubs
THE DIVIDING LINE
showed the balance of the trumps with East. Another
Spade lead was ruffed by East and he had nothing left
to do but lead the five of Diamonds. South played the
Queen, West the King and dummy won with the Ace
and returned the suit. South won with the Jack and an-,
other Heart was put through and the nine finessed. The
Ace of Hearts permitted the Declarant to discard his
losing Diamond and East was forced to trump the
eleventh trick, permitting South to gobble up all his re-
maining trumps, the Declarant making a Small Slam on
his contract of one Club Redoubled.
CHAPTER SIXTY
PERCEPTION
TIME and again we hear at the Bridge table,
"Partner, if I could only have known that
you held the King of something, we might
have saved the game." Granting that the player could
not know, why not play on the presumption that the card
is there nevertheless? This is especially so when it is the
one chance to save the game, or when any alternative
play is equally doubtful. It is surprising how many of
the apparently brilliant plays of the experts are based on
this principle of finding the pivotal card in the wished
for place. Very often a moment's forethought will show
conclusively that the game must be lost, unless what
appears to be natural play is abandoned, and less ortho-
dox methods are adopted. The following deal is a simple
illustration:
PERCEPTION
291
* 8743
V K 8 7 5
* 95
* K 3
A Q 9 6
V AJ 3
* &J7
* Q 7 2
NORTH
SOUTH
* A K J 10 2
Q 10 6
* 83
* 854
* S
94
+ A Q 10 6 2
* A J 10 9 6
East dealt and bid a Spade, South two Diamonds, Wes
two Spades, North three Diamonds, East three Spade
and South four Clubs. With two suits practically even i
high-card strength and distribution, it is usually goo
tactics to show both. It warns the partner against don
bling the adversaries make and is the type of hand tha
if overbid and doubled, will probably yield a trick moi
than a more evenly balanced hand. West continued t
four Spades and North "went out on a limb" to the e?
tent of five Diamonds. From the bidding it appears
that South might be void of Spades and the game ?
Diamonds appeared an even chance, while the enen?
had the same chance at Spades. It is on these dose dea
that the large swings are made and judgment is a mo
powerful factor than luck. East held too many losii
cards to bid any higher, but West doubled and the co
292 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
tract was played at five Diamonds doubled. The open-
ing lead was the three of Spades, which East won with
the ten and the King was then led and ruffed by the
Declarant. Two rounds of trumps left dummy in the
lead and the Queen of Clubs finesse was lost to the King.
West now shifted to the five of Hearts, but the Ace
went up and dummy obtained discards of the two los-
ing Hearts on the set-up Club suit, enabling the Declar-
ant to fulfill his doubled contract. If East had paused
to count, after winning the first trick, he could have seen
that there was but one way to defeat the contract. West
has twice supported the Spades and the lead of the three,
with the two in sight, shows exactly four in suit. South
must, therefore > hold a singleton Spade. The bidding
marks South with at least ten cards in Clubs and Dia-
monds and possibly more. The Diamonds, with the King-
Jack in dummy, must be solid and the Clubs either
solid or within one trick of establishment. If the Clubs
are headed by the Ace-King, the game cannot be saved,
or if the King of Hearts is with South the case is hope-
less. To save the game, West must hold the King of
Hearts and a stopper in Clubs* As a matter of fact, un-
less both of these cards are in West's hand, his two
assisting bids must have been based on thin air. East, at
the second trick, in lieu of continuing the seemingly sound
Spade lead, should at once switch to the Hearts and the
contract must be defeated for a hundred points, instead
of permitting the adversaries to make their doubled con-
tract.
Occasionally it is even too late to wait until the sec-
ond trick to bring perception into play.
PERCEPTION
293
A A 8
* Q3 2
* QJ3
* J io 9 S 4 3
* K J 10 9
4
l 4k 6 2
V A 9 6 5 4
* Qs 3
^
NORTH
SOUTH
4 A 7 6
* 8 7 6 a
\ N
* KQ7
K J 10 8 7
4 10 9 8 2
* A
On this hand, South had the deal and bid a Heart,
West bid a Spade and the contract was eventually landed
on South at four Hearts, which East doubled. The Jack
of Spades was opened and won with the Ace. It looked
like smooth sailing for game, until South won the nest
trick with the ten of Hearts and West showed out. The
seven of Hearts was continued, East winning with the
Ace and returning the Spade. Of course, South found it
impossible to obtain the lead in dummy to finesse against
the nine of Hearts and the contract was defeated one
trick. While it was bad luck to find five Hearts massed
in one hand against him, the Declarant had nothing to
lose and everything to gain by winning the first trick
in his hand. The ten of Hearts should be led next and
East would probably refuse to win It. A low Heart would
follow and the Queen would be won by the Ace. Now
294 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
dummy must get in with the Ace of Spades and the
Heart finesse holds the enemy down to one Heart trick
and the two high Diamonds.
Played at double-dummy all the cards being ex-
posedEast could defeat the contract by returning a
low Club, instead of the Spade, South must win with the
singleton Ace, put dummy in with the Spade and finesse
the trumps. On the Diamond lead West could play the
Ace second-hand and return the Club. This method oi
play would set-up a Club in East's hand before South
could get the Diamonds established, but in actual play,
the Club lead would hardly seem propitious.
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
ALIBIS
IT is a thankless task to dwell on the lost games that
might have been won if the player were able to
accurately locate the one vital card. When it is alto-
gether a matter of guess-work, one player's guess is as
good as another's, although strangely enough, the dum-
mies and kibitzers are always a hundred percent cor-
rect, usually after the play is over. Very often in the
course of play, the Declarant is given the choice between
two methods of procedure. When the situation is such
that one method may either win or lose the game and
the other cannot win, even though it may not lose, then
the player should be charged with bad play when he
goes wrong.
In a match game the Declarant was forced to choose
between two finesses that apparently were precisely of
equal chance. It so happened that, as the cards lay, the ;
finesse chosen unfortunately set the contract two tricks, ;
while the finesse in the other suit would have won the \
game.
296 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
3
A
V 8 6 4 2
+ K 7 2
* J 7 5 3
A 8754
V J 10
4 A Q J 8 6
* A Q
NORTH
SOUTH
10
A A K J
73
4 10 9 4
* K 10 8 4
A Q 9 6 2
A K Q 9 5
+ 5 3
* 9 6
North dealt and bid a Diamond, East a Spade and
South two Hearts. West and North passed, but East, with
the big honor score, bid another Spade and South bought
the contract with a bid of three Hearts. West opened the
Spade, East winning with the King and Ace. The third
round was covered by the Queen, West trumping and
leading a low Club. The finesse of the Queen went to
the King and the high Spade taken in. The Club was
then led and won with the Ace. Three rounds of trumps
gathered up the enemies' holdings and the Diamond
finesse proved a winner, but as South was unable to
get back in his hand for a second finesse, another trick
in that suit was sacrificed to loose play. The Declarant's
alibi that he had the same chance on the Club finesse
as on the Diamond was seemingly true, but he lost
ALIBIS 297
sight of the important fact that the Club finesse, even if
successful^ would not in itself win the game, or even ful-
fill the contract, unless the King of Diamonds was also
with West. If the Diamond King was with West then
the Club finesse was unnecessary and uncalled for. If
West had held the King of Clubs the chances greatly
favored his holding the King of Diamonds also, because
his preferred lead would have the suit that he did not
hold the King of, unless he held both Kings. If South
had properly refused the Club finesse and gone up with
the Ace at once, then he should have led the Heart and
overtaken it in his hand. The second round of Hearts
should not have been led until the Diamond finesse was
tried, so that the second Heart will permit South to re-
enter and take out the opposing trumps before the next
round of Diamonds is played. This method of play would
have netted ten tricks, as the losing Spade and Club
could have been discarded on the set-up Diamonds.
An alibi that is so often in evidence is when a player
overbids his hand and endeavors to mitigate his of-
fense with the remark: 'Well, partner, we saved the
game and they had a big honor score." If the game
really would have been lost, the flag-flying might be
justifiable, but on the following hand, a penalty of four
hundred points should have been inflicted instead of a
hundred taken:
298 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
V A 6 3 2
* QS 4
* A K 9 8 6 2
North bid a Club, East a Spade, South two Diamonds
and the bidding went merrily on until South obtained the
contract at six Diamonds doubled* If South had passed
the five Spade bid, North would doubtless have doubled,
although the six Diamond bid would not have been so
bad with North's holding. At Spades, East would have
been set four tricks against good defensive play. South's
play of the deal appeared rather snappy. The Spade was
opened and won with the Ace and a low Spade ruffed
in dummy* The Ace, King and a low Club followed,
South trumping the third round and leading his last
Spade for dummy to ruff. The Queen of Diamonds was
then led, covered by the King and won with the Ace.
The Jack of Diamonds took all the opposing trumps but
the ten, which was now the ranking card. A Heart lead
wag obtained
ALIBIS 299
on the Club while West trumped with the ten of Dia-
monds. The Declarant's elation at being set only one
trick was rather out of place. It was quite possible to
have made the doubled contract by two methods of
play. After the King of Diamonds was caught, three
rounds of trumps should have been played, putting West
in with the last trump, so that he could not interrupt the
run of the Club suit when dummy was in with the Ace of
Hearts.
Possibly a better way to play the deal would have been
not to ruff out the Spades at all, but set up the long
suit in dummy. After the first trick is won with the Ace
of Spades, dummy is put in with the Club and a low
Diamond is led and the Jack finessed. The Ace catches
the King and the Queen wins the third round. Now, the
Ace, followed by r a low Club which South ruffs, sets the
suit and the Ace of Hearts is the card of reentry to ob-
tain three needful discards.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
NE PLUS ULTRA
EVEN though the bidding strategy at Auction
Bridge has been greatly improved in the past few
years, it is still practically impossible to play
every deal at the best make for the combined playing
hands. Many hands that would win the game at No
Trump are played at a suit contract and fall one trick
short, while possibly a greater number fail at No Trump,
when the suit make would have been a certain game.
Good judgment in bidding is a wonderful asset, but the
best logic in the world cannot prevail against card dis-
tribution that is a bit contrary. A player may hold the
Queen-ten-nine of a suit bid by an adversary, together
with excellent side cards for a No Trump. The contract
is obtained for one No Trump, but the leader's bid con-
sists of a six-card suit to the Ace-Jack with a side Ace.
The King happens to be with the partner of the leader
and the contract is defeated for one trick. Instead of a
No Trump bid, a plebeian Club might easily have landed
the game. If the suit bid had happened to consist of the
Ace and King, then the No Trump would have won the
game, while the Club bid might have been inadequate.
This phase of the game will never be completely eli-
minated and indeed, with many players, is its chief
charm. It is surprising the number of these hands that
300
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
NE PLUS ULTRA
EVEN though the bidding strategy at Auction
Bridge has been greatly improved in the past few
years, it is still practically impossible to play
every deal at the best make for the combined playing
hands. Many hands that would win the game at No
Trump are played at a suit contract and fall one trick
short, while possibly a greater number fail at No Trump,
when the suit make would have been a certain game.
Good judgment in bidding is a wonderful asset, but the
best logic in the world cannot prevail against card dis-
tribution that is a bit contrary. A player may hold the
Queen-ten-nine of a suit bid by an adversary, together
with excellent side cards for a No Trump. The contract
is obtained for one No Trump, but the leader's bid con-
sists of a six-card suit to the Ace-Jack with a side Ace.
The King happens to be with the partner of the leader
and the contract is defeated for one trick. Instead of a
No Trump bid, a plebeian Club might easily have landed
the game. If the suit bid had happened to consist of the
Ace and King, then the No Trump would have won the
game, while the Club bid might have been inadequate.
This phase of the game will never be completely eli-
minated and indeed, with many players, is its chief
charm. It is surprising the number of these hands that
300
NE PLUS ULTRA
301
appear to be misfits, that can be made to respond to
persuasive treatment by the expert player.
The following deal will play for ten tricks at No
Trumps against any defense, but at the logical Diamond
make, it hardly seems that game can be secured, except
by supernormal vision:
Q9
J6 3
J 10 5 4 2
North dealt and bid a Club, East a Heart, South two
Diamonds, West and North passed and East now ven-
tured two Spades. This last bid can hardly be called
sound, but many good players consider it justifiable in
similar circumstances. The bid of a higher ranking suit,
after a suit of lower rank, indicates a strong preference
for the first named suit. If the partner holds three small
cards of each suit, he should go back to the first suit.
With two cards in the first suit and four in the second,
he should, of course, permit the second suit to stand or
302 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
even advance it, If possible. West's cards, on this deal
were not worth an assist, but he would have gone back
to Hearts if South had passed. South, however, bid three
Diamonds and after two passes, East went to three
Hearts. South continued to four Diamonds and the bid-
ing stopped. The play of this deal brought out a number
of exceptional points. On natural play it appears that
South should make his contract of ten tricks, but no
more, one Heart and two Spades going to the enemy. The
opening lead was the Jack of Hearts and although dummy
holds a perfect fourchette in the Queen-ten, he, never-
theless, refuses to cover. While the cover would estab-
lish the ten on the third round, if East continued the
suit, it is apparent that the Hearts will never be played
again except by West. The Spades will be East's next lead
without question, and to prevent this switch, West is
permitted to win with the Jack. The second Heart lead
is trumped and three rounds of Diamonds takes all the
opposing trumps. On the third round of Diamonds,
dummy discards a Spade and East a Heart. The eight
of Clubs is led next, West and North playing low and
the eight holding the trick. For West to cover would be
making it easy for the Declarant, as the finesse would
then be marked on the second round. That the eight of
Clubs will be finessed seems most unlikely and the rea-
son for the play is an unusual one. From the bidding,
East Is marked with at least ten cards in Hearts and
Spades. Having followed twice to the Diamonds, he can-
not hold more than one Club. It appears certain that the
Club suit will not break and South is quite ready to
lose one trick in Clubs so that he can bring in the bal-
ance and discard the three losing Spades. When the
eight of Clubs stood up, South was as much surprised
NE PLUS ULTRA 303
as anyone, but not too surprised to take further advan-
tage of the situation and score a Small Slam by the aid
of the plainly marked double-squeeze. South led the
two remaining Diamonds. On the first, West discarded his
last Heart and dummy threw a Spade. On the last trump
West was in difficulties. That a Club discard would be
fatal was obvious, so the nine of Spades was disgorged,
North now letting go the nine of Clubs. Up to this point
East was in no distress, but the Clubs came next in solid
array and on the third round East was left with the Ace
of Hearts and the King-Jack of Spades. Dummy held the
Queen of Hearts and the low Spade, and South held
the Ace-six and four of Spades. If the Heart was shed,
the Queen in dummy would make, and the Spade dis-
card set up the suit with South, West's guard in Spades
having already been squeezed out to protect the Clubs.
There was absolutely no escape from the position and the
Small Slam scored by the Declarant tended to prove
that the best make for the combined hands is not always
the one where the greatest number of tricks appear on
the surface. Occasionally, tricks at Bridge, like icebergs,
are largely submerged.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
RESTRAINT
IT requires considerable fortitude to refrain from
doubling a contract that seems to be doomed to cer-
tain defeat. There are two principal reasons when
such procedure is very bad strategy. If the adversaries are
bidding two suits, and the double may drive them into
their second suit which the player cannot double, nor has
good reason to believe that his partner can, then to
double the first suit is unwise. Again, when a double
tends to mark the location of certain essential honors, it
is unquestionably poor tactics to disclose such valuable
information.
To double a contract of four Spades, with a holding
of four to the Jack and the partner having bid two suits,
appears almost obligatory. I have seen this very thing
occur twice in one evening and both times it resulted in
the loss of a game that would otherwise have been saved.
Against sharp players, it is unsound to permit the cor-
rect inferential deduction that a double could only be
made on trump strength and induce a deep finesse that
would not be considered under ordinary circumstances.
Defeating a contract of four Spades, undoubled, is in-
finitely more pleasurable to most players than permitting
the enemy to succeed in making it, even though it is
doubled. At the American Whist League Congress in
Chicago, I held the South hand on the following deal.
304
RESTRAINT
305
My refusal to double the opposing contract, for the
above stated reasons, led to an aftermath that was as
unexpected as it was disconcerting.
* s
V K Q J 10 7
* 9 8 64
* 843
A K Q J 10 9 8
V A 8 6 s 3
* Q 10
NORTH
SOUTH
*9
A
+ AKQJ 10732
* KJ 7 6
\
A A 7 6 4 3 2
42
+ S
* A 9 5 2
West was the dealer and bid one Spade, North over-
called with two Hearts and East preempted with four
Diamonds, Holding only two small Hearts I was not able
to support my partner on the first round of bidding,
even though I held two quick tricks. West .went on to
four Spades, North passed and East after long hesitation,
reluctantly passed also. With my holding I would have
been glad to have doubled two Spades, if it would have
closed the bidding, but with the Diamond bugaboo star-
ing me in the face, I was overjoyed to be permitted to
pass the four Spade bid. Undoubtedly, a double would
have driven East into bidding five Diamonds, which
would have been good for a Small Slam, with a hundred
3 o6 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
in honors. Holding a freak hand with an eight-card solid
suit, East should have bid five Diamonds, regardless of
partners, opponents, doubles or church affiliations. Played
at Spades, a penalty of four tricks will be registered, if
the King of Hearts is opened, taken by the Ace and the
Spade lead is won by the Ace. Before returning the Heart,
South gathers in the Ace of Clubs and discards the three
remaining Clubs on North's solid Hearts. The two of
Clubs does not appear until the last round of Hearts,
but when it does show up, the echo is disclosed and the
Club ruff is obtained. This vision of a delectable penalty
was rudely dispelled by West's clever play. Quite imper-
turbably he proceeded to fulfill his contract! My six
luscious trumps were treated with contumely and dis-
respect. The play that made the hand was West's refusal
to win the opening lead of the King of Hearts. The sec-
ond round was taken by the Ace and the trump lead now
put me in without a Heart left to return. I tried to kill
the Diamond suit by leading my singleton, but the suit
was continued and the second round ruffed and over-
ruffed* After the trumps were drawn, the Queen of Clubs
was led and East did not fail to overtake it in the dummy
with the King. Such an oversight would have given me
an opening by holding off with the Ace until the second
round and then making the balance of the tricks, as two
Clubs had been discarded by dummy on the trump ledds.
As the deal was played, the Declarant lost but three
tricks, one each in Hearts, Spades and Clubs. And, to
cap the climax, West complimented me on my excellent
judgment in refusing the double!
A deal where one careless play made the difference
between winning the game and having the contract de-
feated, was the following:
RESTRAINT
37
A J 8
874
4 92
* K 9 7 5 3 2
4k Q 10 9 5 2
V KJ 6
4 AQ 7
* J4
NORTH
SOUTH
A A K6 3
* 9 5 3 2
4854
* Q 8
* 7 4
A Q 10
4 K J 10 6 3
* A 10 6
East dealt and bid a Spade, South two Diamonds and
West jumped to three Spades, which closed the Auction.
South opened the seven of trumps, one of the rare in-
stances where a trump lead up to the maker is justifiable.
The bidding would indicate that the lead cannot kill a
trump trick in the partner's hand, which is the main
deterrent in this type of hand. The Declarant won with
the King, played the Ace and led a Diamond, finessing
the Queen. A Club was then led to throw the lead arid
the next play cleared a Diamond trick for South. An-
other Club lead permitted the enemy to cash in a trick
in Clubs and one in Diamonds. Now the ten of Hearts
put dummy in with the Jack and forced a lead away
from the minor tenace, defeating the contract by one
trick. Correct play by East would have been good for
ten tricks. His one object should have been to conserve
308 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
all possible cards of reentry in his hand. The first trump
trick should have been won by the Queen in dummy and
the second by the King dummy leading the nine. Now
a Heart lead will be won by the Jack, unless South clat-
ters up with the Ace, but East has two cards of reentry
in the six and three of Spades, over the five and two
in dummy. These cards of entry are absolutely essen-
tial to again finesse the Heart and to obtain the lead
to cash in the thirteenth Heart and discard the losing
Diamond in dummy. The Diamond finesse is the last
thing to do, if the enemy have not already broached that
suit after making their two tricks in Clubs.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
THE CRITIC
THE Bridge Millennium will have arrived when
the game is played without criticism and with-
out mannerisms. More pleasurable evenings
have been totally ruined by criticism at the Bridge table
than by the seven sins of Satan. I am not laboring
under any delusion that anything I may write will tend
to better the situation to any great extent, but it might
be of some interest to try and delve into the cause of
this onerous question.
Undoubtedly the most flagrant cases occur when hus-
band and wife are playing together and one or the
other plays a better game or, believes so, which amounts
to the same thing. That each is trying their level best is
granted and still the least slip, or even an unfortunate
guess, brings forth a torrent of abuse that makes it un-
comfortable for the other players. It seems a bit like
the story of the professional runner, who was being
chased by a bear. His comrade, safely up a tree, shouted
encouragingly, "Run! Run!" The distressed one gasped
indignantly, "Hell, d'ye think I am throwing the race?"
It is a fact that many married couples do not play
Bridge together at all because they are unable to refrain
from criticizing one another at the card-table. It seems to
me that the fault is mainly due to the intense desire for
309
3 io LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
success when playing together. There is a certain pride
that each has in the other however successfully dis-
guised and failure to live up to expectations is doubly
vexatious. When the lady concededly plays the better
game of the two, the squalls are apt to be less frequent,
because recognizing his limitations, the man will not be
so quick to enter the fray. And without the ready "come-
back" there is little chance for discord. When a woman
sweetly asks her husband: "Darling, why didn't you
return my suit and save the game?", it should be under-
stood that the "Darling" is wholly what might be called
"informatory." An informatory darling, like an informa-
tory double, has a sort of reverse meaning. It is need-
less to give the proper interpretation every husband
knows. If the husband thinks he is the better player
it is never conceded then trouble is rife. He inquires,
"Sweetheart, (informatory) was it necessary that you
trump my perfectly good Heart?" The question; The
answer; The retort. And the battle!
The most prolific cause of contentiousness is unjust
criticism. Some players delight in finding fault with their
partners when an unfortunate hand might have been
successful with double-dummy play. To rag a partner
under such circumstances is most unfair and uncalled for.
Often a deal is played where different treatment would
seem to have been productive of much more successful
results and yet when the play is carefully diagnosed, the
actual play turns out to have been easily the best.
A neat example is illustrated by the following deal:
THE CRITIC
A 10 8 5
J6 5
4 Q 9 2
* Q7 S3
West dealt and bid a Club, North passed, East bid a
Heart and South a Spade. On the second round West
and North passed, East rebid the Hearts and South went
to two Spades. East was correct in rebidding his strong
Heart suit before showing the Diamonds. It should be
noted. that if South had preempted the bid with four
Spades, that East would not have been silenced. With
his powerful holding, the game seems assured after
the partner's original bid. As a matter of fact, East can
take eleven tricks at either Hearts or Diamonds, if he
plays properly. Preemptive bids are rarely of value, after
the adversaries have shown a suit. On the next round
East bid three Diamonds and South went to three Spades.
After West and North passed, East called four Diamonds
and West should have gone back to the Hearts, provided
3 i2 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South passed. After his original bid, West has not a sound
assist or a rebid, but he has a choice after his partner's
two suit showing. South, however, bid four Spades, which
was doubled by East and all hands passed. West opened
the King of Clubs, upon which East played the nine
and the Ace of Clubs was the next lead. When East com-
pleted the echo, the leader hesitated quite some time, but
finally decided to switch to the Hearts. East won with
the Queen and continued with the suit until South
trumped the third round and took the balance of the
tricks. The dummy took the lead with the second round
of trumps and South obtained a discard of the eight of
Diamonds on the Queen of Clubs. Notwithstanding that
the contract was defeated for one trick, East was volubly
critical of the partner's play: "I cannot see why you per-
sisted in setting up the Club so that South could obtain
a discard of the Diamond."
"If you didn't want me to continue the Clubs," re-
plied West, "why did you play the nine on the King?"
"Because you might have been bidding a four-card
Club suit, in which case I could have trumped the third
round."
"That's true," responded West, "but you bid two suits
and might have held but one Club, in which event you
could still have made a trump on the third round of the
Clubs."
"Well," retorted East, "after you saw the situation,
why not kill the high Club in dummy by permitting me
to trump it? Even though I am overruffed, it would do
no harm. It was inexcusable play to permit him to dis-
card that Diamond."
The "him" referred to being your humble writer, "Mr.
and Mrs." were offered the boon of replaying the hand
THE CRITIC 313
as suggested by "Mr." On the third round of Clubs, the
Queen in dummy was not "killed" because she made no
attempt to win the third round of the suit. The ten of
Clubs was trumped Fourth Hand and dummy put in on
the second round of trumps. Now a Heart was discarded
on the Queen of Clubs and the remaining trump put
South in the lead to run down all the trumps. At the
tenth trick, East was forced to discard, with four cards
remaining the Ace-King of Hearts and the King-Jack
of Diamonds. Of course, a Heart must be discarded and
iie is stuck in with the remaining Heart and compelled
to lead away from the Diamond tenace. Instead of win-
ning an extra trick, the line of play suggested by East
permitted Declarant to fulfill his doubled contract. And
the informatory "Darling" was properly squelched!
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
PITFALLS
WHILE it is not always possible to escape the
snares and pitfalls laid by shrewd players, it
is surprising how often careful deductions will
circumvent play that is intended to deceive. Persistent
play of false-cards and shift bids are not indulged in by
the better players, because such play is more apt to fool
the partner than the adversary and has a tendency for
loss of confidence when it is most needed. Occasionally,
sharp players lay traps to catch the unwary and when
such play cannot deceive the partner, then it is undoubt-
edly good strategy. On the following hand, of quite nor-
mal distribution, it hardly seems possible that a swing of
six tricks depended upon the ability to "read the cards."
A Q 10
Q 9 z
* J8S3
* 8 5 4 3
10 5
* 974
* A J 9 6 a
NORTH
SOUTH
* J762
^ J76 3
4 AQ6
* Q 10
A K 9 4
A K 8 4
K 102
K 7
3U
PITFALLS 315
After three passes, South secured the contract with
a bid of one No Trump, Having the four suits stopped,
obviates the need of an approaching four-card suit bid.
The three of Diamonds was the opening lead, upon which
East played the Queen and South won with the King.
East's play of the Queen instead of the Ace, seems like
poor play, commonly termed "finessing against partner."
When there is no finesse against the dummy, it is usually
sound tactics for Third-Hand to go up with the highest
card. There are exceptions, however, to all rules and in
this instance the play of the Queen was the proper play.
If West held six Diamonds, South could hold out one,
which might be the King. If this were the case ? East's
refusal to play the Ace could lose six tricks. That West
cannot hold more than five Diamonds is shown by the
lead of the three. The correct fourth-heat lead marks
him with either four or five in suit. He must hold three
higher than the card led, and can hold but one lower
the missing two. Hence, South holds at least .two Dia-
monds and if one is the King, it cannot be prevented
from winning a trick. East's object in playing the Queen
in lieu of the Ace it is always poor play to depart from
the rules without a good reason is to get out South's
winner, if he has one, while East still has a card of the
suit to return to his partner. If the Ace was played to
the first trick, South would refuse to play the King
until the third round, thus preventing West from making
the "long" card of his suit unless he holds a card for
reentry. That South may accomplish the same object by
refusing to win the Queen with the King, is quite true,
but South cannot tell which of his opponents holds the
Ace of Diamonds. He would appear foolish if West held
the Ace-Jack, as seems probable, and won every trick
3i6 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
in the suit. When South wins the first trick, he can count
seven tricks in sight and unless the Club suit can be
brought in, the game is impossible. The King of Clubs
was led and Fourth Hand, without apparent thought,
played the Queen. East shrewdly reasoned that with the
ten falling from his hand, the Declarant must mark him
with the Queen, or no more, as both the Jack and nine
are in the dummy. Opening the bidding Fourth Hand,
South must hold powerful cards and if he can bring in
the Club suit, there is little hope of saving the game. If
he needs three tricks in dummy, as he actually does, the
fall of the Queen under the King apparently marks the
ten with West. If South held four Clubs, then he need not
finesse the nine, but in that event, he would not finesse,
if the ten instead of the Queen were played. If he held
either two or three Clubs, then the finesse is essential if
West holds the ten. As the cards lie, the play of the
Queen appears to be the better chance. I was playing
the South hand and would not have finessed if the ten
had been played, so East's play could not have incurred
any loss, but neither did it gain, as I went up with the
Jack and caught the ten. Before playing the second round
of Clubs, the King of Hearts was played. East had to
find three discards on the Clubs, without information
from his partner, who followed suit four times, so East
discarded the Spades, as the Heart suit appeared to be
with South. This permitted South to take in twelve tricks
for a Small Slam. The only reason East's strategy proved
unsuccessful, was because West's hand was open to a
perfect count. If East held the lone Queen of Clubs,
then West must have held five. With five Clubs, he would
not have opened a four-card Diamond suit, as was shown
by his lead of the three, with the two in South's hand.
PITFALLS
3*7
East is palpably marked with another Club, which must
be the ten when he discards the Queen.
Sometimes a "trap-bid" may be used to good advan-
tage.
V A K 6 4 2
+ A 6 5
* J 10 8 4
* 6 3
V Q 10 8
4 J 9 8 7 2
* 65 3
NORTH
SOUTH
A AK J 8 5
V 7
4 K Q 10 4
* KQ 9
A Q 10 9 4 2
^ J9S3
* 3
* A 7 2
North dealt and bid a Heart, East doubled, South bid
three Hearts, West and North passed and East bid three
Spades. This was doubled by South and all hands passed.
South's jump-bid was somewhat in the nature of a ca-
mouflage, as he had excellent Spade support. With the
informatory double by East, the game seemed doubtful,
so South tried for penalties. Unless West has a sound
minor-suit bid, that he can venture four on, the bid will
doubtless be passed up to East. If East has an original
Spade bid and refuses to be silenced by a shut-out, then
South is in good position for a business double. Should
3i8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
North have an exceptional Heart holding, he can still
go on and probably land the game. Played at Spades,
the contract was defeated for 300 points, while North
could not make over three odd at Hearts against perfect
defence. If East had bid one Spade over the original
Heart, he would not have gotten into such trouble, but
many players feel they are compelled to double when
holding a hand with high cards in three suits.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
MATCH PLAY
UNDOUBTEDLY the most satisfactory contest
at Bridge is a team of four match, in duplicate.
All the North and South hands are played by
two members of a team and the East and West hands
by the remaining partners. The factor of Luck in holding
high cards is completely eliminated and perfect play by
the opposing pair will register no gain unless the other
team is incapable of producing equally skilful results, on
the replay.
It is quite different in duplicate pair contests, as the
opportunity to play a hand requiring exceptional skill,
does not materialize both ways of the table and the chance
to equalize the adversaries' good play is lost. When a
series of deals lend themselves to pretty strategy, then
the game is well worth playing. In a recent match, two
outstanding deals were played that showed a difference
of almost 800 points.
319
320 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* K J 9 6 2
8 3
+ 10 6 5 4
*74
A A 10 4 3
Q6
+ A Q '/ 2
* K6s
NORTH
SOUTH
* QS
K 4 2
+ KJ 9
* A Q J 10 8
A
87
A J 10 9 7 5
8 3
9 S 2
At the first table North had the deal and bid a No
Trump, East doubled, South bid two Hearts and West
two Spades. North passed the Spades but East bid three
Clubs, and South continued to three Hearts, which
passed around to East, who doubled. The seven of Clubs
was opened and won by the ten. The Queen of Spades
was returned, taken by the Ace and the Heart finesse
gathered in three tricks in that suit The Diamond
finesse, however, was not so successful and East won
with the King. The five of Spades put West in to lead
another Club and the contract was defeated one trick.
At the second table, the bidding was precisely similar,
except for one point. North, a player of unbounded op-
timism and much faith in his partner's playing ability,
redoubled. If the enemy went to three Spades or four
Clubs, he was ready to double either contract. However,
MATCH PLAY 321
the redouble was permitted to stand and the seven of
Clubs was opened as before, won by the ten and the
Queen of Spades returned. As the cards lay, three rounds
of Clubs would have permitted West to ruff, but in ac-
tual play, East could not tell the exact number of Clubs
held by his partner. At both tables, South played the five
Clubs on the first trick and, if West held the four and two,
the King in North's hand would afford a valuable discard.
At any rate, if South held three Clubs, it did not seem
that he could escape losing them sooner or later. On the
second lead the Queen of Spades South had his oppor-
tunity for a clever play. If East held two Spades, the
contract seems in fine technical position to be made.
True, it required looking ahead several moves, but a bit
of chess is often helpful at Bridge. That East held but
one Spade, seemed hardly probable, because if that were
the case, West would have held six to the King-Jack and
would doubtless have bid three Spades on North's re-
double. South permitted the Queen to hold but won the
next round with the Ace. The trump finesse came next,
but the fall of the King did not deter South from con-
tinuing on for six rounds. With the two leads of Spades
and one of Clubs, East was now down to four cards, which
necessarily were the Ace-Queen of Clubs and the King-
Jack of Diamonds. While it seems. improbable that West
can hold the King of Diamonds, it is not impossible, but
the finesse is unnecessary. East is thrown in the lead with
the Club and after making two tricks in the suit, must
lead up to the Diamond tenace, permitting the Declarant
to fulfill his contract.
' Tactics of quite dissimilar order were required for the
other game.
322 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* QJ 5
K Q 10 6
+ Q9
* A 7 2
West was the dealer and bid a Heart, North two Clubs,
East two Hearts and South two Spades. The bidding
progressed until South obtained the contract at four
Spades, doubled by West. The King of Hearts was
opened, won by the singleton Ace and a merry cross-
ruff developed until the fourth round of Clubs was
overruffed by West. The Declarant won seven trump
tricks and two red Aces, so the contract went on the
rocks for one trick. At the second table South also ob-
tained the contract at four Spades doubled. The opening
was the same, but here the Declarant thought he had a
much safer method of play than the cross-ruff. Careful
count shows that ruffing the hand will most likely result
in losing two tricks in Diamonds and two in Spades. If,
however, the long suit in dummy can be established, the
game cannot only be won but an extra trick made. The
MATCH PLAY 323
only serious point to consider is whether West holds both
the Ace and King of Clubs. With such holding, the
proper original opening should have been the King of
Clubs, so one of the Club honors is marked with East.
The nine of Clubs was led and the two of Diamonds
was discarded. West won with the Ace and led the Queen
of Diamonds. This was West's best defense. The trump
lead would have resulted in the loss of the balance of
the tricks, if Declarant played properly. On the Diamond
lead, dummy won with the Ace and led the Queen of
Clubs. East refused to play the King and South dis-
carded another Diamond. The Jack of Clubs was then
led and covered with the King, trumped by South, and
the Ace, followed by a low Spade put dummy in to lead
the high Club, upon which South discarded the fourth
Diamond. West trumped with his last trump and con-
tinued the Diamond lead, but the Declarant was now
well out of the suit. After ruffing the Diamond, the three
losing Hearts were disposed of, by trumping one of them
with the remaining trump in dummy and discarding two
on the last two Clubs. By conserving .the Heart ruff un-
til the end, the Declarant was enabled to not only fulfill
his doubled contract, but to make one over losing only
one trick each in Spades and Clubs.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
ESTABLISHING A SUIT
FAILURE to win the game on a hand that seems
to be bubbling over with high cards is usually
attributed to three major causes.
First in favor is: "The cards didn't fit."
Second: "The adversaries played too well."
Third: "I played badly." It is true that this last reas-
son is sometimes camouflaged a bit with extenuating
circumstances such as, "The luck was against me," or,
"If I had guessed the finesse the other way," but it would
be a shock to many players if they could see how often
perfect play would overcome all obstacles, even "cards
that don't fit," "unfortunate distribution" and "oppo-
nents possessed of uncanny skill."
On the following deal, both the cards and the enemy
were exorcized and the player seemed to feel greatly
aggrieved at his bad "breaks":
ESTABLISHING A SUIT
325
A AQy
.85
* J5
* J 9 7 6 4 3
A 10 9 8
V KJ 9 6 3
* KQ 3
482
NORTH
SOUTH
^ A 6 5 4 3 2
10 7
^982
* A 10 5
i
\ \
A K J
V A Q 4 2
* A 10 7 6 4
* K Q
South secured the contract with a bid of one No Trump
and the six of Hearts was the opening lead. The ten,
played by East, drove out the Queen and the Jack of
Spades won the second trick. The Declarant was so
pleased at this clever "finesse" that he almost forgot to
establish his long Club suit, but awoke in time to lead
the King and Queen, which were permitted to win. The
next lead was the King of Spades, which dummy over-
took with the Ace and a third round of Clubs cleared
the suit, all ready to be made when someone would be
'kind enough to lead a Spade. The opponents obstinately
refused to lead anything but red suits and the Declarant
could not make more than eight tricks. If East had not
held off twice on the Club leads, or if South had had an-
other Club, then it would have been easy sailing for
game, as the Declarant -sorrowfully pointed out to his
326 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
partner. "But," expostulated the long-suffering partner,
"why didn't you play the Clubs first and overtake the
Jack of Spades with the Queen. Then the Clubs could
have been made-up while my hand still held a card of re-
entry to bring them in?"
"You seem to forget," replied South, "that I held the
King and Jack of Spades alone. Overtaking the Spades
twice would not only be throwing away a sure Spade
trick, but would establish the entire suit against me."
Of course, North's criticism was just. The apparent
sacrifice of one Spade trick would have gained three
additional tricks in Clubs. As a matter of fact, South
would have had an excellent chance to score a Small
Slam by proper play. Overtaking the Spades twice in
the dummy would have certainly brought in the Club
suit, and at the tenth trick two Spades, two Hearts and
six Clubs West would have been subjected to a pseudo-
squeeze play. Dummy holds the seven of Spades and
two Diamonds and West is down to the top Spade, the
top Heart and the King-Queen of Diamonds. The dis-
card on the tenth trick would have been exhilarating
except to West. The Spade must be held or the seven in
dummy will make. The choice must be made between the
King of Hearts and one of the two Diamonds. If South
has kept two Diamonds and one Heart any discard by
West must lose a trick and the original Spade gambit is
retrieved. Should South have discarded differently, West
is still helpless, unless he has carefully noted every dis-
card made from the start.
A hand that seemed absurdly simple and still required
careful play to win the game is the one following:
ESTABLISHING A SUIT
327
V K 10 8 7 2
4 A K 5 2
* 874
4> KQ96
V QJ4
+ J 9 86
* KJ
NORTH
SOUTH
4 4 2
* 9 6 5 3
t 10 7 3
* Q 10 9 3
* J 10 8 7 5 3
V A
Q 4
* A 6 5 2
South bid Spades over the partner's Heart call and se-
cured the contract. The Diamond was led, won by the
Queen and the Ace of Hearts played before the dummy
was put in with the Ace of trumps. The two high Dia-
monds, followed by the King of Hearts, afforded South
two Club discards, but three Spade tricks and one in
Clubs were eventually lost.
It is apparent from the start that only nine tricks
can be made on this deal, unless one of two contin-
gencies occur. Either the opposing trumps must be di-
vided evenly, or dummy must be able to establish a
Heart trick and force the hand containing the four
trumps. The best chance is to try for the suit. If
this fails, then the last hope is to endeavor to "bump"
the trumps. When dummy takes the lead at the third
328 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
trick with the Ace of Spades, a low Heart is ruffed and
a trump led. West will win the trick, and regardless of
his continuation, the Declarant will regain the lead and
obtain two Clubs discards on North's winning cards.
When the King of Hearts drops the Queen, then the ten
becomes high and the necessity of finding the missing
trumps fortunately placed, is obviated. Both trumps may
make separately without jeopardizing the game. The
ten of Hearts is led and the last losing Club discarded
by South. Played in this way the Declarant succeeds in
winning the game, losing nothing but the three trump
tricks. If one of the high Hearts had been with East, then
it would have been impossible to establish the ten for
the third Club discard and the last resort would have been
to play for an even division of the opposing trumps and
endeavor to drop them together in one lead.
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
GORGONS AND HYDRAS AND CHIMERAS DIRE
THAT a game so universally popular as Auction
Bridge should be burdened with one outstand-
ing bar-sinister is to be greatly deprecated,
especially so, as it is entirely unnecessary. I refer to the
misunderstandings 'and discordance directly resultant to
the use of the informatory double. In England and other
countries this American convention was to a great extent
taboo, because it was thought by some players to be of no
value and by others to be of such great worth as to give
an unfair advantage. Unquestionably, the doubles, when
thoroughly understood and properly used, are of incal-
culable importance and refusal to make use of them would
be conceding a material handicap to the players who do.
But, by no means, is the informatory double a perfect
device, even aside from its most disagreeable feature
the multifarious meanings given to it by different play-
ers.
Hardly any two players use the doubles alike and day
after day at many of the leading Clubs, before a session
of play is started, the perennial question is asked: "How
do you use the doubles?" It is not- unusual to hear four
players give four different versions, all of which must be
faithfully remembered and carefully considered or a
mix-up is apt to occur that will lose points galore. Cu-
riously, too, regardless of the time wasted in explanations,
329
330 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
situations arise continually that leave the doubler's part-
ner in doubt as to the course his partner wishes him to
pursue. When we stop to ponder at the various meanings
given to informatory doubles, it is little wonder that the
entire subject is so involved.
Some of the interpretations are:
Any double of a one-trick contract when made at the
first opportunity, and provided the partner has not al-
ready bid*
The double of one No Trump or a two-trick suit-bid.
The double of a one No Trump or a three-trick suit-
bid.
The double of a one-trick contract, even, after the part-
ner has bid.
The "Right and Left" double.
This last double is used when a No Trump bid is over-
called. If overcalled by the Left Hand* adversary the
double is informatory. If by the Right Hand adversary,
it means business.
A number of players do not double informatorily after
they have bid a No Trump. Others after they have made
any bid.
It is not surprising that even members of the same Club
do not know where they are at without a daily catechism,
while casual visitors are more or less dumfounded.
As every experienced Bridge player knows, there are
numerous deals where the informatory double is a dis-
tinct detriment. When a player deals and bids one of
those No Trumpers that reeks to the skies an Aceless
affair with three Kings and a well guarded Jack and
the Second Hand holds an exceptionally strong hand, in-
duding the four Aces, there are three things that can be
done; pass, double, or bid two No Trumps. To pass seems
GORGONS AND HYDRAS 331
cravenly and unsatisfactory* To double in this situation
Is always informatorily, and unless the partner is suf-
ficiently strong to leave the double in, which is rarely the
case, the take-out will almost invariably result in the
doubler bidding two No Trumps. Where the double is
used conventionally it is utterly impossible to convey to
the partner that this specific double is for penalty pur-
poses only, and to permit the doubled contract to stand is
the one way to adequately strafe the adversary for mak-
ing an unwarranted bid. Possibly the most trying situa-
tion of all, is where the dealer starts with a preemptive
bid of say, "three Spades." The game and rubber for the
opponents may depend upon whether they double for
business or pleasure. If they double a three bid for a
take-out, then they have no alternative but to pass and
must be content with a 200 penalty, when 400 could have
been made just as easily. If they double such a bid for
penalties, then they must, at times, forego a game hand
at their best make and yet not be able to defeat the op-
posing contract. Some time ago I doubled a preemptive
three Spade bid that would have been defeated for 300
points. My partner construed the double as being in-
formatory and put in a bid that was doubled and de-
feated for 400 points. (No, Constance, dear, I won't re-
peat what you said and I said and we said.)
Recently I participated in a game where an original
three Heart bid was doubled and left in. The contract
was made and with it went the game and rubber. The
double was meant to be an informatory one, and if it had
been so read, the resultant response of four Clubs, on
five headed by the ten, would have been good for eleven
tricks.
All these misunderstandings, complications, time de-
332 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
vouring explanations and post-mortem discussions that al-
ways follow a contretemps of this sort can be indubitably
done away with. The solution is simple and consists of
defining a double as meaning a double! It may appear
strange and iconoclastical to only double when a player
means it, but why not? The many advantages of the
informatory double can still be retained, but without the
attendant confusion and undesirable evils. When a player
desires the partner to bid, instead of doubling, which after
all is the equivalent of a kick under the table, the lifting
of the eye-brows or a deprecatory cough, would it not be
just as well to say so? Any word or phrase would do
possibly the proposal for a bid from partner might be
conveyed by the words, "I propose." It is true that -in a
mixed pair game this term might be understood and un-
duly burden Dan Cupid, but it's worth the chance. To
"challenge" seems like an excellent way to force the part-
ner to bid or double. Anything would be infinitely pref-
erable to the ambiguities and perplexities generated by an
artificial convention that is entirely unnecessary, because
the same result can be obtained by perfectly natural
means. The "challenge bid" would mean exactly the same
as the informatory double, with the single exception that
the partner could not pass, unless there was an interven-
ing bid. Of course, when the "challenge" was made over
a bid that suited the partner, then the occasion would be
similar to that when an informatory double would be left
in. The logical response would be to double, and such a
double, always for penalty purposes, would make the situ-
ation dear, concise and understandable to all the players
at the table. I cannot see one single objection that could
be made against this simplification of the game, except
possibly precedent or prejudice, but when the tremendous
GORGONS AND HYDRAS 333
possibilities are considered in the way of time saved at the
primary classes where individual preferences are aired,
and the elimination of a convention that it has been im-
possible to standardize in this Country or to universally
adopt abroad, then I sincerely believe this epochal bid
should be tried out.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
I CHALLENGE
TO "Challenge" a bid would be, in substance, the
same as, an informatory double. The partner,
unless there is an intervening bid, must bid
or double. With this convention in effect, all doubles
could have but one meaning, a desire to defeat the op-
posing contract at double penalties. Some of the experts
seem to think^ that while this bid has wonderful possi-
bilities, a few of the good points of the informatory dou-
bles might be lost. One of the examples given was where a
No Trump was bid, doubled Second Hand and left in by
the partner. At times penalties of four or five hundred
points were won, and properly, because of poor bids.
Of course, with the "Challenge" in lieu of the double,
Fourth Hand instead of passing the informatory double,
would obtain the self-same situation by doubling. It is
true that the enemy might escape by running into a two-
trick suit-bid, but with powerful hands held by the op-
ponents, it would usually be a case of jumping from the
frying-pan into the fire. Another case cited is where a No
Trump is doubled and redoubled by Third Hand. Fourth
Hand rescues with, say, two Spades and now the original
bidder, knowing that his partner holds a strong hand,
can safely insert a business double if he has fair strength
in the suit bid. With the "Challenge," Third Hand will
pass and the two Spades will be bid as before, but the
First Hand cannot double because he does not know of
334
I CHALLENGE 335
the strength held by his partner. The situation, however,
is not lost but merely delayed, as Third Hand can now
"Challenge" and First Hand will then be in a position to
double. I can think of no situation where the new bid will
not work to at least as good advantage as the double, and
and in most cases, considerably better. When a player
has bid one No Trump and Fourth Hand has designated
a lead with a bid of two in suit, it has always been a moot
question whether a double should be for business or
pleasure. At this time, opinion is about evenly divided,
some of the best players insist upon their doubles being
left alone by their partners, while others are equally in-
sistent that their partners bid, unless they hold cards
sufficiently strong to defeat the contract. Any specific
hand is wholly at the mercy of what particular system
the opponents happen to be in favor of.
At the recent State Congress at Indianapolis, seven-
teen teams of four played in the championship match.
On deal number sixteen, the scores were about evenly di-
vided between a loss of 430 points or 50 points and it
was not bad bidding that caused the difference, but the
method of using the double.
The dealer bid one No Trump and Fourth Hand held
these cards:
* KJ 9 6 4
V 2
+ A K 5
* 8 5 3 2
It is hardly conceivable that players of championship
caliber would not bid two Spades in this position. The
immediate Spade lead may be the only way to save the
game against the No Trump contract, and if played at
336 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Spades the game might easily be won, with only fair
support from partner. However, on this particular deal
the original bidder held four Spades to the Ace-Queen-
ten, together with exceptional strength in side suits. It re-
quired merely routine play to defeat the doubled Spade
contract 400 points, provided it was used conventionally
as a business double, and therefore, left in by the partner.
Where the players preferred to use the informatory
double in such positions, the deal was played at two No
Trumps with the result that 50 points could only be
scored, two odd and three Aces. It would appear from this
that the argument strongly favors the use of doubles
for penalty purposes only, after a No Trump has been
overcalled by the adversary, but before this point' is
conceded, permit me to cite another case. At the dupli-
cate tournament of the Knickerbocker Whist Club of
New York, the following interesting deal was played
with many variations in the score:
I CHALLENGE 337
South dealt and bid a No Trump, West and North
passed and East bid two Clubs. Again the system of
using the doubles was a vital factor. It would hardly be
sound tactics to double with the South hand, if the busi-
ness double was used, as the net result would probably be
insufficient compensation for the possible loss of game.
If two Hearts were bid, the Club opening would make
the going extremely difficult for the Declarant. Should the
Hearts be played for an even break, after being forced
with the second round of Clubs, it would result in the
contract being defeated. Careful play might succeed in
making three odd at Hearts, but the game, against per-
fect defense, does not seem a possibility. With the use
of the informatory double by South, the Spade response
by partner will easily be good for eleven tricks, together
with forty honors and the game. To sum up, the con-
ventional doubles should be right about half the time,
while the Challenge bid could not go amiss. To double in
any position would mean nothing but a double and to
Challenge a bid would be a demand that the partner take
some action. The adoption of this single convention would
at once relegate to oblivion more than a dozen confusing
and harassing situations that only tend to bewilder and
perplex the Bridge player of to-day.
CHAPTER SEVENTY
IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS
THE informatory double, as it is now used by
Bridge players has so many meanings that it is
little more than a private convention. The dou-
bling player generally knows what he means, the partner
may know, but the adversaries can only know if they
have studiously cross-examined each player before the
game commenced. No matter what system of informa-
tory doubles the individual player prefers to use, hardly
a session of Bridge is played where it would not work
out more advantageously to use some other method.
When we stop to reflect how unnecessary it all is, how
absurdly simple it would be to do away with the con-
fusion and perplexities of a circuitous convention that
so few players are in agreement upon, then I firmly be-
lieve it would be a wonderful thing for the game of Auc-
tion Bridge to eliminate the informatory doubles alto-
gether and substitute instead a perfectly natural and un-
hypocritical request for a bid from partner. To "Chal-
lenge" a bid would be the equivalent of saying: "Partner,
please bid," and the dual meaning of the double would
be automatically removed. The one criticism that has been
made to this proposed change, is that it would add a new
convention to a game that is already overburdened with
conventions. As an actual fact it would obliterate more
than a dozen that the average player finds it most diffi-
cult to understand. When it is considered that at one
338
IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS 339
New York Club the informatory doubles are used four-
teen different ways, the necessity of doing something to
curb this evil can be readily seen. Even the conscientious
player finds it trying to explain his preference to each
member of the table unless he is asked, and when he
favors the use of the "right and left double" or a business
double after a one bid, it leans very much towards an un-
fair private convention, when his partner understands his
meaning and the adversaries do not. With the proposed
change, the question of the player's judgment as to
whether it would be preferable to double or ask the part-
ner to bid, would not be interfered with. But the correct
interpretation of his meaning could not be misconstrued,
either by his partner or by the adversaries.
Undoubtedly, the greatest advantage of the new con-
vention would be the power to ask for a bid from partner
at any time even if the adversary started with a bid
of four in suit. In like manner, a business double could
be inserted at any time or place. The player who still in-
sists upon opening the bidding with a bid of two, on a
long suit without tops, would quickly be made to repent
his error.
That the informatory double was not functioning prop-
erly has been recognized by the experts for a long time.
To endeavor to standardize the meaning of each double
was found to be an impossible task. Even the leading
authorities do not agree whether the double of an original
bid of three in suit, should be construed as business or in-
formatory. When a No Trump is bid and overcalled
Second Hand with two Spades, what is meant by Third
Hand's double? Such an eminent writer as Milton C.
Work says he prefers this double to be informatory,
while the equally eminent Wilbur C. Whitehead, is de-
340 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
cidedly in favor of penalties. The question is a close one
and on certain specific hands either system might prove a
big winner, while the Challenge bid would always be 100
percent right.
It has been suggested that the doubler be permitted to
state whether his double is "informatory," or "business,"
as a solution to this problem. Undoubtedly, this would be
a great help, but if a change in the rules is necessary,
why adopt a makeshift when a simple solution is at hand?
The following hand was sent me for my opinion as to
the best procedure with North's cards: >
A 2
V 10 8 6 4
+ 95
* 10 7 6 5 3 2
* 73
* AJ 9
* AQ J
* KQ 8
NORTH
SOUTH
A Q J 10 9 6 4
V KQ 7
4 K 8 3
* J
A A K 8 5
* 5 3
4 10 7 6 2
* A 9 4
South dealt and bid one Spade, which West doubled.
What should North do? The answer is quite simple. I
don't know! And I defy any of the authorities to do any
better. South's bid is perfectly sound, as all experts will
agree. West's double is proper and a rescue by North on a
tricldess hand is poor tactics. The chances are that East
IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS 341
will bid in response to the double and the danger will be
obviated. Of course, with East's cards it would be idiotic
to do anything but pass and accept the penalty of 400
points. While North's pass, in this instance would be
disastrous, in most cases a bid would start trouble that
might have been avoided. North is wholly at the mercy of
the Gods. In nearly every situation of this kind it is an
in and out gamble as to what will happen. With the Chal-
lenge bid, in lieu of the double, North's position is clear.
He never need to worry about the necessity of bidding a
worthless hand until the situation is marked. On this hand
East will double after the partner's Challenge and then
North has the two Club bid in reserve, after South and
West pass. At doubled Clubs, North would lose one or
two hundred points, about the equivalent of game that the
enemy can easily make at No Trumps.
Another situation where the blind guess is eliminated:
V K 10 7 3
* A K 6 2
* K 8 6 3
* 8 6 3
* J9
+ 10 8 5 4 3
* 10 7 2
KORTH
SOUTH
4k A K Q 10 7 4
Q842
+ 9
* Q5
V A 6 5
* Q J 7
* AJ 94
342 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South has the deal and bids a No Trump, which is
passed by West and North. East's bid of two Spades
passes to North and what should he do? To this point the
bidding is absolutely conventional and under the present
rules. North's double would be foolhardy unless his
partner knew he was doubling for a take-out. If he could
find his partner's best suit the chances for game would
be very great. As a matter of fact, a Small Slam in Clubs
can be made. But, if it so happened that North uses the
double in this position for penalties? A bid of two No
Trumps would be defeated, while a chance-suit bid would
lie between the Hearts and Diamonds. Any number of
hands could be cited where it would work the other way;
a double for business would net 400 points or more,
while the take-out would not even land the game. With
the "Challenge bid" in vogue, a Spade would be called a
Spade and a Double would be called a Double. The
difficult plays and intricate bids tKat belong to the game
of Bridge would still be there, while an artificial and
much-abused convention would be a thing of the past.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
WHEN THE SUITS ARE WEAK AND THE
PLAY IS STRONG
A CONSTANTLY occurring situation at the Bridge
table is when the Declarant has the play of a
contract that apparently offers an equal choice
between two ways of trying to win the game. If the com-
bined hands contain two suits of equal length, it does
not necessarily follow that the stronger suit must be the
one to be played for. Quite often the circumstances are
such that the proper play is plainly indicated to the ex-
pert, either by the bidding or the knowledge that the game
cannot be won, even if a specific method of play be suc-
cessful, while the alternative line of treatment will win
the game, if the cards lie favorably. Undoubtedly, the
main difference between a winning and a losing player is
the ability to play difficult hands in such a way, that if
there is a chance to land the game, it will not be over-
looked. On the following deal, perfect play would have
won the game, instead of which the contract was defeated
for fifty points:
343
344 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South had the deal and bid a No Trump. West and
North passed, East bid two Hearts and South's bid of two
No Trumps bought the contract. It is worthy of note, that
if South had doubled the two Heart bid, it would have
been construed as an informatory double and North
would probably have responded with a bid of two Spades.
With the "challenge bid" in vogue, South's double would,
of course, mean nothing but penalties, and 300 points
would have been garnered without difficulty.
Played at two No Trumps, West led the seven of
Hearts, which East won with the Ace and returned the
ten. South's Jack won and three rounds of Clubs were
played in the hope that they would be divided and the
Ace of Spades would be the card of reentry to bring in the
two remaining Clubs. The unfavorable distribution of
the Clubs made the establishment and bringing in of
WHEN THE SUITS ARE WEAK 345
that suit impossible, so when West led a Spade, dummy
played the Ace and switched to the Diamonds. East
played the nine, but the Declarant took his only chance
and went up with the King, thereby succeeding in making
seven tricks, one short of his contract. Although both the
Club and Diamond suit were of the same length, the
Clubs were headed by three honors and appeared the
better suit to play for, as the Diamonds contained but a
single honor, and if the Ace lay in the West hand, the
suit would be solid with the enemy. The important point,
however, is that unless East holds the Ace of Diamonds,
the game cannot be won. Even if the opposing Clubs were
divided three and three, the Declarant would take but
eight tricksfour in Clubs and two each in Spades and
Hearts. That the Ace of Diamonds is 'in the East hand
is practically a certainty, as East's bid of two Hearts
would have been doubtful, unless he held that card. Four
Kings and three Aces are in sight and the remaining Ace
must be marked in the East hand. The Diamond suit is
the better one to play for, because if it breaks evenly the
game must be won with the top cards in the remaining
suits, while the even break in the Club suit is not enough.
The play, after winning the Heart trick, is one that many
good players would overlook. A low Diamond should
be led up to the weak dummy. While this appears con-
trary to the teachings of the great masters, it is neverthe-
less sound tactics. Under the most favorable conditions,
two tricks in Diamonds must be lost, so it would be futile
to sacrifice an important reentry card to obtain the lead
in the dummy hand. The lead of a low Diamond to the
extreme weakness in- dummy may strike the enemy as
simply a bluff play and the Diamond lead may even be
continued by them, ia which event the advancement of
346 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the suit is accomplished without giving up a reentry. If
the Hearts are continued, then dummy must be put in and
the remaining Diamond. led. The even split in this suit,
together with the top cards in sight, ensures the game
without further trouble.
It may shock some players who rather fancy their game,
to be told that it is not always the best policy to bid the
stronger of two major suits, although they be of equal
length. When both suits are sufficiently strong in top
cards, the higher ranking suit is usually the better bid.
This is equally true of two minor suits. Not only because
of superior bidding strategy, but in the actual play of the
cards does this prove to be winning procedure. On the fol-
lowing deal, the game depends entirely upon knowledge of
this principle and even expert play could not drag out
the game by any other means :
* 5 3 *
5 3 2
* AQ 7
* 10 9 8 6
* K J 8
V 10 6
* K 10 4
* Q J 5 3
NORTH
SOUTH
* Q9
* J98
+ J 9 5 2
* A K 7 4
A 10 7 6 4
A K Q 74
8 6 3
WHEN THE SUITS ARE WEAK 347
South had the deal and secured the contract with a bid
of one Heart. The Club was opened and South ruffed.
Two rounds of trumps was followed by the Ace and a low
Spade. A second Club ruff, with Spades not yet estab-
lished, seemed to force a Diamond finesse. The finesse
won and the last Spade was led from dummy. Although
East held a losing trump, he did not make the mistake
of trumping the Spade and the Declarant's last hope was
gone. The game could not be won! If the bid had been
a Spade, notwithstanding that dummy held exactly
similar cards in both major suits the game would have
been a simple thing. After ruffing the Club, a low trump
must be led. The second Club ruff is followed by the Ace
of Spades and then the Hearts are led until West trumps
with his remaining trump. The Diamond finesse is taken
as before, and the adversaries are held down to the two
trump tricks.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD
THE correct play of a hand at the Bridge table
does not invariably obtain the best results.
While the law of averages may be ninety-nine
percent in favor of a certain method of procedure, the lone
chance must win occasionally. If this were not the case, the
percentage would automatically be a hundred instead of
ninety-nine. When a player succeeds in fulfilling his
doubled contract, together with a trick or two more than
he bargained for, the result is always pleasing to the
winning players.
The play of the following deal elicited great admira-
tion from the dummy and the remark "partner, you cer-
tainly played the hand for all there was in it," did not
misstate the literal truth. As a matter of fact, most ex-
perts would have made four tricks less than was made by
the Declarant:
348
WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD 349
4k Q J 10 8
KQ J
+ K 93
* K
5 2
A K6 3
10 9 8 5 4
4 76
* J95
NORTH
SOUTH
* 94
763 2
+ Q8 5
* 7 6 4 2
* A
4 A J 10 4 2
* A Q 10 8 3
South dealt and bid a No Trump, West overcalled with
two Spades, North three Hearts, East passed and South
went to three No Trumps. This was doubled by West
and passed all around. The bidding was hardly up to
modern standards, but quite conventional with the aver-
age player. West's bid, notwithstanding that he had the
lead and good cards of reentry, was not the best tactics.
If the Declarant had been driven into Clubs, the game
would have been assured, even with the loss of a trump
trick. North's three Heart bid was not sound although
most players in similar situations do not hesitate to make
such bids. After the partner has bid No Trumps, no suit
appears too weak to participate in the auction. South's
three No Trump bid was the glamour of the hundred Aces.
On the opening lead of the Queen of Spades, South won
with the Ace and then stopped to plan his campaign.
3so LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Of course, he was a bit late, as his time for counting was
before he had played from dummy. Obviously, the only
play in the hand was the Club finesse and the King of
Spades should have been played, with that object in view.
To try for the finesse at this stage would necessitate
getting the dummy in the lead and to accomplish that,
would require a Spade lead, setting up the entire suit for
the enemy. As the best way out of a bad mess, South de-
cided to make sure of eight tricks, by permitting the King
of Clubs to make, so the Ace of Clubs was led and, lo
and behold, the singleton King fell ingloriously. Now the
Declarant has nine tricks in sight for the fulfillment of
his doubled contract, but apparently he never gave a
thought to such petty play. Dummy was put in with the
nine of Clubs and the Diamond led, the ten finesse going
to the King. A Spade lead that cleared the suit for West
was won by the King in dummy and regardless of the
solid array of Spades against him the Declarant took the
second Diamond finesse, with the remark: "Here's pray-
ing for luck." The Jack won the trick, after which it was
smooth sailing for a Small Slam, and the efficacy of
prayer to the Blind Goddess was established on a sound
basis.
When the play of a hand is not amenable to luck, then
it is incumbent upon the student to do the right thing if
he hopes to hold up his end. The play of the following
deal appeared to hinge entirely upon chance, but close
study will prove that proper strategy would have dis-
counted the bad breaks:
WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD 351
A
V
A K 8 7 4
* 73
4 A Q 8
* Q 10 8 2
A 10 6
J8 5
964
AKJs
NORTH
SOUTH
* 5 3 2
V Q 10 9
4 J 10 2
* 9 7 6 4
* Q J9
V A K 6 42
* K 7 S 3
* 3
North had the deal and the one Club bid was passed
by East and the contract went to South, with a bid of
one Heart. With the Clubs shown by dummy, West
opened the four of Spades, which was won by South with
the nine. Two rounds of Hearts failed to drop the Queen
and the game was dependent upon the location of the Ace
of Diamonds and the Queen of Clubs. If an unsuccessful
Club finesse was taken and the Diamonds also proved
badly placed, then the Declarant would lose a trick more
than he would if he refused to take a chance on losing a
Club at all Should the Ace of Diamonds be with East the
game must be won by taking one Diamond discard on. the
high Club, conceding the adversaries two tricks in Dia-
monds and one in Hearts. The hand was played on this
premise and while it appeared that the game was lost be-
cause of unfortunate distribution, the reasoning of the
Declarant was not entirely sound. While it is true that the
352 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
game must be won if East holds the Ace of Diamonds, it
must also be won if West holds the Queen of Clubs and
practically nothing is lost by taking that chance first.
If the Club finesse is lost and the Ace of Diamonds is on
the wrong side, then the game is impossible by any
method of play. The important difference is, that if the
Club is right, the location of the Diamond is immaterial
and if the Club is wrong the Diamond chance is still
remaining. The gamble is the same on either card, but two
chances to one on the game, when the possible loss cannot
be more than eight points, are odds that should never be
overlooked. There are numerous deals where similar situa-
tions appear and the ability to take full advantage of
them, makes for a well-balanced, winning game.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
COAXING A MISPLAY
A FREQUENTLY occurring situation at the
Bridge table, is when the adversary is arbitrarily
forced to lead a specific suit. Having the choice
of three leads, with the dummy exposed at the right, the
play of a suit headed by a King up to the Ace-Queen, is
hardly to be recommended; nor is the lead of a suit that
can be trumped in dummy, while the Declarant obtains a
discard in his hand. The third suit may not be a desirable
one to lead, but it is probably the least of three evils.
Occasionally, the Declarant is in a position where he can
see that the enemy will be compelled to lead a certain suit
that he is particularly desirous of not having led. To give
the player a chance for an alternative lead is at times the
only hope to win the game. A very pretty example,
illustrating this point, came up in an important tourna-
ment game*
353
3S4 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A A 10 8 3
98542
47642
*
* K J 4 2
76
* Q8 5
* K 9 5 3
NORTH
SOUTH
* 965
KQ 3
*AQJio874
A Q7
A J 10
4 A K J 10 9 3
462
East dealt and bid a Club, South bid a Diamond, West
a No Trump, North passed and East went to two Clubs.
East's denial bid is made because the partner's No Trump
may be predicated largely on the opening Club bid and,
unless the No Trump is sufficiently strong to be rebid,
the hand should play to better advantage at Clubs. South
went on to two Diamonds and West, fearing a trap with
the weak Heart suit, abandoned the No Trump and
helped the Clubs to three. North, who had been quite
content with the No Trump bid, did not care so much for
Clubs and jumped the Diamonds to four. East thought he
saw game with his partner's No Trump and subsequent
support in Clubs, so he bid five Clubs. South correctly
deduced that the bidding marked East void of Diamonds.
With the game in jeopardy, he bid five Diamonds, which
West doubled and all passed. The low Club was opened
COAXING A MISPLAY 355
and ruffed in dummy. A Heart was led, but East pre-
vented the ten finesse, by going up with the Queen. South
won with the Ace, ruffed another Club and then led a
trump. East showing out, the King went up and upon the
next play hinged the only hope in the hand. If the play
that appears obvious is made the lead of the Heart
East is plainly forced to make the one play that must
save the game. With a trump remaining in dummy, East
cannot continue leading Clubs and the Spade lead will
remove the reentry in dummy that is the only chance to
make the nine of Hearts and afford Declarant a discard of
the losing Spade. The lead of the Ace, followed by the
Jack of Diamonds, put West in the lead, and with dummy
now out of trumps, a Club lead that will force the strong
hand to ruff, seems like sound play; or, if West makes the
mistake of leading away from the King of Spades, that the
No Trump bid marks with him, the game will be won by
the Declarant. West steered clear of all pit-falls and led
the Heart, East won with the King, South false-carding
the Jack, and now East is compelled to find the correct
play to save the game. The Declarant's trump play tends
to make it seem that West holds another trump, in which
case a Club continuation will produce the largest penalty.
East did play a Club, allowing Declarant to make his
doubled contract. Of course, if West's hand had held four
trumps, then West should unquestionably have led the
Club instead of the Heart when he had the lead, but this
was apparently too close reasoning for East.
The question of taking a finesse against a Queen when
holding eight cards in the two hands, is one that many
players seem to be in doubt about. As a general thing,
the finesse should be taken, but when it can be taken both
ways, it is often difficult to decide which way to finesse.
356 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
When the bidding does not offer any clue, then the fall of
the cards is the only guide the player has as to the best
course to pursue.
* J43
K J 10
+ 9 7 6 2
* Q 10 6
A 10 9 6
64 2
* J 10 8
* A K 5 2
.* A 8 7 5
Q 8
* Q S 43
* J8 7
4 K Q 2
A 9 7 5 3
+ A K
* 9 4 3
With South's one Heart bid securing the contract, there
was nothing in the bidding to assist the Declarant in
locating the Queen of Hearts. That the game depended
entirely upon the location of this one card, made it
doubly important.. The bidding of this hand, played in a
duplicate match, was about evenly divided between a
Heart and No Trump. At No Trumps, the two of Clubs
was opened and the natural ten finesse held the 'Declarant
down to one or two odd tricks. With the worthless Clubs,
a five-card major suit headed by an Ace is slightly to be
favored. Played at Hearts, the King of Clubs was opened
and the seven from the partner encouraged West to fol-
low with the Ace. Although the expected echo was not
COAXING A MISPLAY 357
forthcoming, three rounds were played and dummy led
the Jack of Hearts, East refused to make it easy by
covering, so South went up with the Ace and finessed the
return. This permitted the Queen to make and saved the
game. On this deal, the drop of the cards should have
enabled the Declarant to have won the game. When the
eight is played to the first round of Hearts, it is a toss-up
whether the finesse should not be taken at once. If not
taken, it should be also refused on the return, because
East is marked with the Queen or no more. If East holds
a singleton eight of Hearts, then West holds four and the
Queen cannot be caught, even if the finesse is successful.
It is true that East may be false-carding, that is, play-
ing the eight while he holds a lower card, but that chance
must be taken in a situation so dose as this. Usually the
drop of the cards tell the tale and no player can false-
card a singleton. With both the nine and seven of Hearts
in his hand, the Declarant's best play was not to finesse
intp East's hand.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
GUESS-WORK
TO eliminate guess-work as much as possible, is
to reach the highest stage of Bridge develop-
ment. It seems like very bad luck to have every
guess go wrong, especially when the game might have
been won with a single fortuitous combination of circum-
stances. After all, each chance is separate and complete
in itself. Because three chances have gone wrong, is no
reason why the next one will not be equally unfortunate.
I firmly believe that at least fifty percent of the chances
taken by the average player are entirely unnecessary
and avoidable. When the game-going trick can be won
beyond the shadow of a doubt, why hazard a chance? As
Laertius remarked many centuries ago: "Fortune is un-
stable, while our will is free."
It hardly seems possible that in a duplicate match only
one player in seventeen made the game on the following
hand* Opportunity did not blow a horn.
GUESS-WORK
359
* 9 7 4
V 8 6 5
4 A J 10 7 a
* 10 5
. NORTH
^ 2 W^^^HE
* K J 9 3 2 SOUTH
{ * J 10 8 3
J 10 4 2
4 85
* Q64
\
A A Q 6
V AQ 3
4 K 6 4 3
* A 8 7
^
South had the deal and secured the contract with a bid
of one No Trump. The three of Clubs was opened and the
Queen was permitted to hold the first trick. The second
Club lead was taken by the Ace, and the King, followed
by a low Diamond showed that suit to be solid. It is now
apparent that eight tricks are in sight and if either the
Spade or Heart finesse should prove successful, the game
must be won. At this point there is absolutely no clue as
to what suit offers the best chance for a winning finesse,
and as it is not necessary that both finesses be taken to
win the game, the Declarant runs down the Diamond suit
and watches the discards closely. It should be noted that if
both finesses were essential, North could not obtain the
lead for a second finesse, if the Diamonds were made at
once. In such a case, after three rounds of Diamonds, one
finesse would be taken, so that South would have a Dia-
mond remaining to put North in for the second finesse.
360 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
That West is going to be squeezed in finding three dis-
cards is manifest, but unless he gives himself away by
too much squirming, there is no way for South to know
this. In situations of this kind it is always wiser to play
without undue hesitancy, even if an occasional error is
made. And, besides, it is so much quicker. West's best
method of discarding, would be the nine of Hearts, fol-
lowed by the two and five of Spades. Such discarding ap-
pears to be dangerous, but a moment's thought will show
that unless East holds the Queen of Spades, the Declarant
is practically certain to finesse. This is exactly what took
place and as neither of the finesses would have proven
successful, it seemed like ill-luck, coupled with good de-
fensive play.
At the table where the game was won, it was recognized
that the game must be made without being forced to guess
which finesse to take, irrespective of the defensive play of
the adversaries. The second round of Clubs was taken
and on the King of Diamonds, Dummy played the seven.
The Queen of Diamonds on the next round made every-
thing clear. West's lead of the three of Clubs, followed by
the two on the second round, showed a five-card suit.
The Diamonds are all accounted for, so instead of "guess-
ing" what finesse to take, West is permitted to make his
three remaining Clubs, after which he is forced to lead
up to one of the major-tenaces in Declarant's hand for the
extra trick that wins the game. The importance of play-
ing the seven of Diamonds under the King is now seen.
If this play wefre overlooked, it would be impossible for
South to obtain the lead so that West could be stuck in
with the third Club that South holds. Giving up either
one of the Aces would prove fatal for 'all hopes of game.
Of course, when South takes the third round of Diamonds
. GUESS-WORK
361
with the six, the last two Diamonds are not made until
after the Clubs are played.
A deal where the bidding was an "open sesame" to the
proper course to pursue for saving the game, was com-'
pletely overlooked by many players.
10 9 7 4
Having the deal, South bid a No Trump and after two
passes, East preempted with four Spades. South and
West passed, but North with his two Aces and partner's
No Trump bid in mind, doubled. East's preemptive bid,
after the adversaries had bid, was doubtful strategy. Gen-
erally, the contract can be secured at a lower cost by
natural bidding. Two Spades would seem a better bid,
although as original bidder, the preemptive bid would
have been sound. Played at the doubled Spade contract,
South opened. the Ace of Hearts and followed with a low
one, North echoing to show he could trump the third
362 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
round. The Declarant won with the Queen and led the
King of Spades, which North took and led the Ace of
Clubs. From then on, the play was routine, East ful-
filling the doubled contract. North bemoaned his luck in
finding but one Club with East and that he did not un-
derlead the Club suit, to put his partner in so that he
could obtain the Heart ruff. His contention was that he
held too many Clubs to underload and take the chance
that East might win with the singleton King. On the
bidding, South was positively marked with the King of
Clubs and North should have led the low Club, instead of
the Ace. South had bid a No Trump without a Spade
stopper. The Ace of Hearts is not enough even with the
King-Jack in Diamonds. All the balance of the high cards
have been located and the King of Clubs was essential for
even a minimum No Trump bid.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
THE "SAVE THE GAME" FETISH
TO save the game is an admirable thing, but a
number of otherwise excellent players defeat
their own ends by being in too great a hurry to
accomplish this objective. When the game is really in
danger, the trick that will save it cannot be taken too
quickly. The greatest value of an Ace is to kill an op-
posing honor and if these important cards are given up
for no purpose but to prevent the imaginary loss of a
game that is not in the least danger, then many tricks and
penalties are lost that might just as well be had. I have
seen players put up the Ace of trumps Second Hand with
the remark: "Well, partner, we might as well save the
^ame." The fall of the partner's singleton King was most
distressing, especially so as passing the trick would have
defeated the contract, but what can prevail against a
player who is obsessed with the idea that the game must
be saved and .at once! I admit it would have been a
terrible calamity to have lost the Ace of trumps there
are so few trump Aces to be lost. Playing with a "game-
saver" recently the following deal carne up:
363
364 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
I had the deal in the South position and bid a No
Trump, which West doubled. North passed and East's
"two Spades*' secured the contract. After winning two
tricks with the King and Queen of Diamonds, the three of
Clubs was taken by the Jack in Dummy, and a low
Spade was led, taken by the King and on the return of
the three, the ten was played Second Hand. Finessing the
Jack appeared obligatory, both from the original No
Trump bid and the fall of the ten. If the Queen was with
North, it seemed to have a guard and could not be cap-
tured. However, the finesse was taken and North won
with the Queen. Now the time to save the game loomed in-
vitingly and intriguingly, "South could not hold the King
of Clubs, or he would not have led that suit. To justify
the No Trump bid, he must have the Ace of Hearts."
On this sophistical reasoning, North led the Jack of
THE "SAVE THE GAME" FETISH 365
Hearts and from then on there was a weeping and gnash-
ing of teeth. East won with the Ace, took out the last op-
posing trump and finessed the ten of Hearts to land the
game. While it seemed highly probable that South did
hold the Ace of Hearts, how on earth could it be lost?
East could not hold less than three Hearts and it was ut-
terly impossible that his dummy could give him more than
a single discard. The mythological Ace of Hearts was
very much safer than the rock of Gibraltar! And as
solace for the loss of game, North condoled with "well,
partner, the finesse against the Queen of Hearts was
marked even if I hadn't led the Jack*" Succor!
The "saving the game" slogan is, at times, a vital
factor, and occasionally it can only be accomplished with
the aid of perfect card-reading.
49642
* J 9 7 *
+ 754
* KQ
* AJ75
V Q843
4 KQ J 9
* 3
NORTH,
SOUTH
A KQ 3
A K6
4862
* J87S
4 10 8
V lo 5
4 A 10 3
* A 10 9 6 4 2
366 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
South dealt and bid a Club, which West doubled, North
passed, East bid a No Trump, which was passed all
around. The opening lead was the six of Clubs, North
winning with the Queen, and returning the King. After
this there seemed little weakness in the dummy to lead
up to, but the Heart appeared the best chance, so that
suit was attacked. When South obtained the lead with the
Ace of Diamonds the Clubs were still stopped by East and
the game could not be saved. Of course, if North had
guessed the Diamond instead of the Heart, South would
have gotten in at once, but the final result would not
have been altered. The play of this hand rested entirely
with South. In response to West's informatory double,
East was unable to bid either of the major suits, thereby
disclaiming a holding of four cards in either of them. It
is fair to presume that North can stop one or both of the
majors and if this is true, South can save the game with-
out question. That East holds four Clubs to the Jack is
established by his No Trump bid and it hardly seems that
the game can be won unless the Diamonds are brought in.
South knows he can save the game before a single Dia-
mond trick is made against him, provided he overtakes his
partner's King of Clubs with his Ace and immediately
clears the suit by leading the ten. As the Clubs cannot be
brought in without conceding one trick in the suit to the
enemy, the overtaking of the King with the Ace and
setting up the Jack adversely is the only proper play,
even though it is spectacular. East still has a chance or
two left however. The Spades he holds solidly and if the
Hearts break evenly he can still make game when he
is permitted to make the Jack of Clubs. He quickly dis-
covers that the Hearts are stopped and puts his hand in
THE "SAVE THE GAME" FETISH 367
with the King of Spades. If he runs the Spades at once,
then it is too much to expect that he can gather in a trick
in Diamonds. With the location of the Queen of Spades in
doubt, South may be inveigled into passing a Diamond
lead. If he does, the cry of "succor" may be again heard,
but with slightly changed spelling.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
WHEN ENTRIES ARE SCARCE
ALL good Bridge players know the position where
a double finesse should be taken for a chance to
win an extra trick. Holding the Ace-Queen-ten
or the Ace-Jack-ten, with normal length in suit, the per-
centage strongly favors the double finesse. When, how-
ever, the Declarant has not sufficient cards of reentry in
the hand that he must lead from, then he is unable to
make the play and must try some other means of hold-
ing the enemy down to as few tricks in the suit as pos-
sible. The best procedure in situations of this kind is
illustrated in the following hand:
* J7
V A 9 6 2
J6
* 10 7 6 5 2
A 10 9 6
V KJ
* Q9
* Q8 3
542
NORTH
SOUTH
* K 8 3
V 10 8 5 3
* K 5 2
* K 9 4
A Q
Q74
A 10 8 7 4 3
* A J
368
WHEN ENTRIES ARE SCARCE 369
South obtained the contract for one No Trump and the
five of Spades was opened. East played the King and
the Declarant won the trick with the Ace. The only hope
for game was in bringing in the long Diamond suit be-
fore the Spades were established adversely, but the lack
of reentry cards in the dummy seemed to make this im-
possible, unless the Ace of Diamonds was fortunate
enough to drop one of the honors. Played in this way the
hand was good for seven tricks* If South had been able
to put dummy in twice, the Diamonds would have been
led from that hand and nine tricks would have been
secured for the game. In situations similar to this, with
five or six cards of a suit outstanding, the chances of
catching a singleton honor are rather remote. Far the
best chance is to play a low card up to the weak hand and
trust that one of the honors is played Second Hand. If
this happens, then the finesse should be taken on the
second round of the suit. Of course, the weak hand must
have at least one card of reentry or little can be done
but play for the drop. In the hand shown, which was
played in a Club tournament, the low lead was the only
way to win the game. West could hardly afford to play
low with a holding of but two cards. If South held the
King and East held the Ace, then the Jack in dummy
would drive out the high card and set the suit in one
round, while the play of the Queen would save partner's
Ace*
When the defense of a dose hand is perfect, then the
Declarant must possess clear vision to land the game. Not
many players would have succeeded in winning game on
the hand following against the excellent play of the ad-
versaries:
370 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
A K Q 6
V A6s 3 2
* 5 4 2
* A 2
t * 9 3 2
V KQ J
4 10 9
* K Q J 8 6
NORTH
* I0 4 3 SOUTH.
* A J 10 8 5
* 7 4
4 A Q 8
* 9 7 S
East had the deal and bid a Club which South over-
called with a Spade and bought the contract. The ten of
Clubs was opened, won by the Ace and a low Heart led
from dummy. East won with the Jack and played two
rounds of Clubs, ruffing dummy. This forced Declarant
to abandon all hope of bringing in the Heart suit as the
three trumps in dummy were the only possible reentry.
The Diamond finesse was the last resort but the King
in West's hand held the contract to one trick short of
game. South set out to play this hand properly, by en-
deavoring to set up the Hearts. If East had led the
Diamond, after cashing in his Club trick, South would
have gone up with the Ace and put North in with the
Heart. The third round of Hearts would have been led
and trumped. Then the Ace, followed by a low trump
would have put dummy in the lead with the opposing
WHEN ENTRIES ARE SCARCE 371
trumps gone and two good Hearts to afford two vital
discards, only three tricks going to the enemy, one each
in Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. East's clever play in
forcing dummy with the Club could have been circum-
vented by permitting the third round of Clubs to win
the trick and discarding a Diamond from dummy. An-
other round of Clubs would have allowed North to get
rid of another Diamond and made the game easy, so
the logical switch should be to the Diamond which would
have been taken with the Ace and the Hearts set as orig-
inally intended. South's failure on this deal was caused
entirely by his inability to combat the best defense.
It is surprising how often a hand that appears quite
hopeless can be saved by a clever player, who looks
upon a hard situation as merely another difficulty to sur-
mount. The brilliant Pierre Mattheys of the Knicker-
bocker Whist Club, showed his resourcefulness in playing
this hand:
NORTH
SOUTH
V
A 4
* K S
* 6 4 3
* A K 7 6 4
Seated in the West position, Mattheys obtained the
contract for five Hearts doubled, the opponents having
bid both Diamonds and Spades. North opened the Spade
King and seeing there was only one Spade in the dummy,
he then led the six of Hearts. How would you play the
hand from this point?
The novice would undoubtedly drag down the trumps
and find, to his chagrin, that he was blocked on the
Club suit and could not get in the dummy to discard his
three losing Spades, He would be down two tricks two
372 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
hundred points ! The average player would win the Heart
trick In his hand and ruff a Spade in the dummy, then
ruff a Diamond in his hand and pull down the trumps.
His foresight in taking the Spade ruff would save him a
hundred points! Mattheys played the hand very prettily
and succeeded in fulfilling his contract, by winning the
trick in dummy with the King of Hearts and leading the
six of Diamonds, upon which he discarded a Club. The
Diamond was won second hand with the Jack and was
the last trick that the opposition could win. Personally,
I would have played the hand a bit differently. A Small
Slam is possible if the Club Queen is held without a
guard. One round of Clubs should be played and if the
Queen falls, the trumps can be pulled down, the high
Club played from the West hand, and the third round
of Clubs won by the Ace, permits an uninterrupted run
of the suit. If the first round of Clubs does not drop
the Queen, then a low Club must be led. Whether it is
trumped or won by the Queen is immaterial, as the bal-
ance of the tricks are fairly safe. This method of play
would not have gained in this instance as the Queen was
once guarded. It must be admitted that an extraordinary
distribution of the cards might place the three missing
Clubs in one hand, in which case the contract would be
defeated if played in this way. However, in that event
no other natural line of play would show any better re-
sults. The chances are greatly in favor of the remaining
Clubs not being bunched in one hand and the play must
be based on the average possibilities.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
TWO-SUITERS
PROBABLY the most potent factor towards suc-
cess In Bridge is the proper handling of the so-
called two-suiters- When holding at least five
cards each of two suits, with sufficient top card strength
for an over-call bid, perfect treatment will either land
the game, or be defeated for a minimum loss when the
opposing hands are strong enough to win the game if
permitted to play the contract. By perfect treatment is
meant not only good play, but more important, sound
judgment.
In many instances, the plain suit must be established
before the trumps are drawn and, often a single lead of
trumps too early in the play, will be quite enough to
wreck the hand beyond recall. Indeed, some of the ex-
perts aver, that against this type of hand, an original
trump opening is the best defense. While such radical at-
tack can hardly be advised in every case, undoubtedly
many hands might be saved by forward play of this
kind. When the two-suited bidder is doubled for business,
it nearly always turns out somewhat of a sad disap-
pointment. The penalty is usually considerably less than
expected. This is not at all surprising, because with two
suits shown, the remaining cards cannot be more than
two or three. With the dummy short of Declarant's plain
373
374 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
suit, a single quick trick goes a great way to help fulfill
a contract of four or five.
The most delicate situation arises, when the enemy
secures the contract at No Trumps, and the two-suit
holder must choose the best opening lead. That an initial
mistake in this position will prove costly is apparent, but
to have such an error of judgment cost 1070 points, is
putting the "strafe" a bit high. Yet on the following hand, '
the incorrect opening lead made a difference in the score
of exactly that number of points.
North had the deal and bid one Diamond, which East
passed and South called a No Trump. West held the one
type of hand that a good player does not want to pass
or double with. It is obvious that the No Trump bid is
predicated largely on the partner's minor suit call and
very little assistance is required by West to produce a
TWO-SUITERS 375
game for his side. He therefore, bid two Hearts and
North, with only one Heart went to three Diamonds.
East passed, but South, nothing daunted, gaily went to
three No Trumps. This West doubled and North re-
doubled, after which all hands passed. North's redouble,
having in mind the rather sanguine three No Trump bid
of partner's was not open to criticism, which is more than
can be said of the bidding by West. If the urge to bid was
too strong to resist, the Spades were the better suit to
show- However, the crux of the hand lay in the opening
lead. On the lead of the five of Hearts, dummy won with
the Jack and the Declarant dropped the seven, which
tended to make it appear to East that West held a six-
card suit. The King of Diamonds was the next lead, East
winning with the Ace and returning the Heart. South
played the Queen, West won with the King and played
the Ace. When East discarded a low Spade on the third
round of Hearts, West shifted to the Queen of Clubs, but
from that point, nothing mattered. Two tricks each in
Diamonds and Hearts were all the Declarant lost, scoring
120 points below the line, together with 250 points for
winning the rubber and 100 for making tie redoubled
contract.
That the Spade is the better opening is manifest for two
reasons. First, the bidding marks South with at least
two stoppers in Hearts, while the Spades are an unknown
quantity. Second, it is usually sound play to endeavor
to establish a long suit that is not headed by top cards
and use the high cards of the .second suit as cards of re-
entry. If West had opened the fourth-best Spade, not-
withstanding that the partner could afford him no more
support in one suit than in the other, the correct prin-
ciple of play would have netted a far different result. The
376 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
trick would have gone to Declarant's ten and the Dia-
mond would have been started as before. East would win
the trick and the return of the Spade would clear the
suit, so that when East won the second Diamond trick,
a Heart lead would put West in to make three tricks in
Spades, which added to two tricks each in Diamonds and
Hearts, would have totalled seven tricks, for the tidy
penalty of 600 points.
When a player is dealt a hand that contains more
than its share of the high cards, it hardly seems that
he has just cause for complaint It is exasperating, never-
theless, when the hand counts up one trick short of game
and the dummy, holding the game going trick, has no
card to get in and make the winning trick.
South dealt capably and bid a No Trump, which held
the contract without competition. The three of Spades was
TWO-SUITERS 377
led and with eight tricks in sight, the Declarant led three
rounds of Clubs. When the Jack fell, establishing two
Club tricks in dummy, the lack of a reentry card in that
hand bordered on the tragic. On the third round of Clubs,
West was put to a hard discard and with much pertur-
bation gave up the four of Diamonds. It seemed to the
Declarant that the only hope was to make up an extra
Diamond trick, and so the King of Diamonds was led.
This was won by the Ace and the Spades continued. When
the Queen of Diamonds dropped the Jack, it looked as
though West might be false-carding the ten, but the third
round of Diamonds made it clear that the game could
not be won. Instead of trying to win the game by brute
force, a little subtlety might have been more effective.
The opening lead of the three of Spades showed a suit of
not more than five cards. As the Declarant would have
been quite content to win the extra trick for the game,
why not allow the two Spades to make and squeeze East
on the discards? The best chance, after the three Clubs
were taken, seemed to be to lead the King of Diamonds
and when in, on the second Spade lead, make the Queen
of Diamonds and the remaining Spade, before throwing
the lead with a low Heart. If West dared to duck this
lead, which would have been good play, South would
have gained or lost nothing, provided East returned
the Heart at once. But, with three sure tricks in hand,
and the set up Clubs in dummy, most players in West's
position would not have hesitated on the order of clatter-
ing up with the Queen. If West took the first Heart, the
last two tricks must be won by the Declarant and the
game would have been secured.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
FORCING THE BREAKS
ALL Bridge players have, at some time or other,
encountered the exasperating experience of hav-
ing everything go wrong. The odd-trick is lost
at No Trumps, when the game would have been a lay-
down at Clubs. We take the opponents out of a bid that
our partner is anxious to double, only to be ingloriously
defeated at our make. We take a finesse one way, to meet
with disaster, when the other way would have won the
rubber. When things break wrong in this way without
contributory negligence the best course is simply to grin
and bear it. It won't last forever nothing does !
I have often seen players obtain the contract at a
perfectly proper bid and when their dummy went down
with an aggregation of utterly worthless cards, there
came a loud wailing and gnashing of teeth. The oppo-
nents at once perk up their courage and instead of play-
ing a defensive game, they boldly attack and obtain a
trick or two more than they would if the players' distress
had not been so obvious. The psychological effect of a
bold front is just about equal to one and a half quick
tricks !
A player who cheerfully remarks that a dummy with
a few scattered Jacks is "not so bad," stands a far better
chance to obtain good results, than the one who groans
in an agony of spirit: "I can't do anything with that
378
FORCING THE BREAKS
379
terrible hand/' The general who can successfully disguise
his weakness, always has a good fighting chance.
One of the best illustrations of what can be done with
a hopeless looking hand when it is played boldly, and. giv-
ing due acknowledgments to the opponents for such slight
favors as they had to offer, is the one following, which was
played in the duplicate tournament at the Knickerbocker
Whist Club:
46432
* 8 5 3
484
* Q 6 5 a
* Q 10 8
V A 4
4 Q 10 9 2
* K 10 9 3
NORTH
SOUTH
* J97
V Q J 10 7 6
4 K 7 6
* 8 7
A A K 5
K 9 2
+ AJ 5 3
* AJ 4
After North and East had passed, I bid a No Trump
in the South position and secured the contract The three
of Clubs was opened and the seven forced the Jack. It
will be admitted that even a most sanguine optimist would
find it difficult to enthuse very much over this hand. Five
tricks are in sight, six tricks are possible if the King
of Hearts is permitted to make and the seventh trick
appears to be more or less dependent upon the good
380 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
will of the opponents. After the first trick is won, the best
procedure is to play three rounds of Spades. This puts
West again in the lead and sets up the last Spade in the
dummy, though with but faint hope of ever getting in to
make it. Nevertheless, the good Spade was somewhat of
a menace to the enemy and West led the ten of Diamonds
to preclude all possibility of dummy getting in with the
eight. This did not render it overly easy for East to
read the situation and the King was not put up, so the
Jack won and a low Diamond was returned. West, still
persistent in shutting out dummy's eight, put up the
nine, but East, arising to the necessity of obtaining the
lead, overtook with the King and led another Diamond
through. This trick was taken with the Ace and West un-
happily was put back in the lead with the Queen. Now,
West, in a last desperate endeavor to get the Club set up
before the last reentry card was gone, played the low
Heart. The King of Hearts won and now West's hand
was easy to count with one Heart and three Clubs re-
maining. If the Heart was the Ace, as the play tends to
show, West could not escape leading the Club and losing
the game! It will be noted that, on this hand, every
Ace and face-card, together with the thirteenth Spade
had to be made to win the game for the North and South
players.
A hand that was prettily bid and played by George E.
Terrill, of Brooklyn, shows the advantages of permitting
the opponents to develop the hand.
FORCING THE BREAKS
A 4
10 9 8
4 A Q 10 7 3
* K 10 8 5
4 10 5
* 7 6 4 3
* K 9 5
* Q J9
East dealt and bid a Spade, which was passed up to
North, who bid two Diamonds. On East passing, Terrill
sitting S'outh, bid two No Trumps and bought the con-
tract. The ten of Spades was opened and both East
and South refused to overtake, Declarant playing the
eight. The second round was won by the Ace, the nine
dropping Fourth Hand. The Declarant's hold-up on the
first trick was sound play. He knew West must hold two
Spades or the original Spade bid would probably have
been rescued. The artistic false-carding of the eight and
nine was to induce a continuation of the suit, although if
West was leading correctly he could not have held more
than three cards of the suit. With four cards or more the
low card should be led. East played the Queen of Spades
for the third round and was permitted to win that trick
also. If South took the trick, he could do nothing better
than to go on and clear the suit and discarding from
382 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
the dummy was getting harder every round. As expected,
East shifted to a low Heart and South won with the
Queen. Even now there was no hurry to cash in the
Spades, as three discards would put dummy in a bad way.
A Diamond was led and the ten finesse went to the Jack.
Now the Heart was cleared and with his last card of
entry gone, the Declarant had to make the Spades, dis-
carding the Clubs from dummy. After the Spades were
made the Queen of Diamonds finesse won and four
tricks in that suit gave the Declarant nine tricks for the
game and rubber. While the East player might have made
another trick by taking in the Ace of Clubs when last in
the lead, it would not have saved the game as the op-
ponents were ten points on the score.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
PLAYING BAD HANDS
WHAT probably troubles the average player
more than anything else, is the proper method
of managing the ordinary hand, where the
top-card strength is fairly well distributed and the player
who is saddled with the final contract, has his work cut
out to make his bid. It must be admitted that hands of
this character predominate the game, and players who
flounder about helplessly when called upon to play hands
that do not seem to fit, are always at a sad disadvantage.
Generally, the best procedure is to take deep finesses and
endeavor to place the lead with the enemy, so that they
have thrust upon them the onus of developing the hand.
At the National Championships, a hand of this type
was played by the various experts, with most surprising
results :
3*3
384 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* 6 4
V K6 3
4 K2
* A Q 10 8 6 4
A A 7 3
* Q9S
* AJ 4 3
* J9S
NORTH
SOUTH
*
V
Q J9S
A J 10
10 8 6
K 7 2
A K 10 8 2
8 742
+ Q 975
* 3
The North hand was the dealer, and in almost every
instance, started with a Club bid. When East passed,
South was in a quandary, but took the only avenue of
escape left open and bid one No Trump. While this bid
appears unwarranted, it is nevertheless correct. North's
hand may be sufficiently powerful to even make the game,
but if the North Eand i's a "mimmie" then the opponents
doubtless can make the game, if the contract goes to
them. As a matter of fact, the East-West cards are good
for three No Trumps, scoring a total of 190 points. (At
duplicate 125 points is allowed for the game.) On this deal
I played the South cards and was very much pleased to
be set only one trick. One player who held this hand,
took in only three tricks, but R. R. Mabie, playing for
the Metropolitan Whist Club of New York, actually
PLAYING BAD HANDS 385
made his contract. The three of Diamonds was opened
and won in the dummy with the King. A Spade was now
led and the eight finessed, which held the trick, as the
West hand refused to part with his Ace. A Club lead
followed and the Queen won in dummy East holding up
this time. East played well in holding up, although the
play loses a trick. If South holds two Clubs he will be
able to bring in the entire Club suit should East take
the first trick. If East did not hold the Ace of Hearts,
the first Club trick should not be passed up, but holding
that important card, it is apparent that the Heart King
in dummy is not a card of reentry. When the Queen
of Clubs held, the Ace and another Club was played and
the suit set. East was now in the lead and the Diamond
was returned. West won two tricks in Diamonds, making
a Diamond good with the Declarant, and then he was in
difficulties.
If South held the Ace of Hearts, as the bidding seemed
to indicate, the game was lost unless East could win a
trick in Spades. West thereupon made the Ace of Spades
and continued that suit. South won, cashed in the Dia-
mond trick, and then stuck East in with the last Spade,
compelling him to lose a Heart trick, the Dedarant mak-
ing two Clubs, two Diamonds, two Spades and one Heart.
While it may strike some players that the success of
this hand is predicated upon indifferent defense, I would
state that the East and West players defending this hand
were not only fine players, but two of the acknowledged
leading bridge experts in America.
A rather neat hand, where indifferent play either way
of the table, would throw the game to the opposition, is
illustrated in the following deal:
3 86 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* AJ 7
10 6 5
4 10 9 5 4 3
* 8
* Q8 3
Q J 84*
486
* K7 5
NORTH
SOUTH
A
V
K 10 9 5
A 9 7 3
J
A 6 4 2
A 6 4 2
K
4 A K Q 7
* Q J 10 9 3
South deals and bids a Diamond, West passes and
North, makes a jump-bid of four Diamonds, It will be
noted that the North hand contains but one quick trick
and under such conditions a Jump-bid is usually sound
strategy. East could make game playing the hand at
Hearts, if the play was double dummy, but played nat-
urally, the finesse in Hearts would permit South to make
the singleton King and save the game. However, the play
at Diamonds was very pretty and careless play by West
permitted South to win the game. The Heart was opened
and East won with the Ace, felling the King. South ruffed
the second Heart and led the low Club. The eight in
dummy looked very innocuous and West did not go up
with the King, knowing that South would not underlead
the Ace with only one in the dummy. East was forced to
play the Ace to win the trick and led another Heart,
PLAYING BAD HANDS 387
which. South trumped and then led one round of trumps,
followed by the Queen of Clubs. Whether West covers
or not is immaterial, two Spade discards will be obtained
on the Club suit. If South had made the fatal error of
taking two rounds of trumps, instead of one, he would
have succeeded in setting up the Clubs and then been
left without a card of reentry to bring in the suit. Of
course, if West had played the King of Clubs on the first
round of the suit it would have saved the game against
any line of play.
CHAPTER EIGHTY
WHEN IT PAYS TO PASS
NOW that most of the experts have accepted the
four-card suit bids as a winning convention,
some players are advocating the take-out of
partner's No Trump bid, under certain conditions, with a
four-card suit. The take-out is made when the rescuing
hand holds a good four-card suit and an indifferent suit
of five cards. If the opportunity is given, both suits are
shown, precisely as if the hand were a two-suiter of five
cards each. When the distribution is three four-card suits
and a singleton, two, and at times, the three suits are bid.
While undoubtedly, this sort of so-called advanced bid-
ding will sometimes turn out to be winning play, I be-
lieve in the long run it will prove to be more of a detri-
ment than an advantage.
When the partner of a No Trump bidder has shown
two suits, it requires an exceptional hand or an ex-
ceptional player to take the bid back to No Trumps.
That a hand will play to greater advantage at a trump
make, when holding a sound two-suiter, is an established
fact. If, however, the take-out is on a suit of only four
cards and the cards do not "fit in," then many a game-
going hand at No Trumps is thrown for a loss at a trump
make. There are a great number of hands where nine
tricks can be made at No Trumps or at a suit make. At
No Trumps this means the game, while at a suit make on
a love score, it means practically nothing,
388
WHEN IT PAYS TO PASS
389
Possibly even more fatal is the rescue of the partner's
major-suit, when holding excellent support in the bid suit.
In the minor suits, where eleven tricks are required to
make the game, a No Trump take-out, even with strength
in the bid suit, is decidedly proper, but I can see little
excuse for the player who jumps to a No Trump bid,
when he holds more than normal support for the part-
ner's Spade or Heart Bid. Even if the partner has bid a
four-card suit, three good trumps and strong side cards
is not a justifiable No Trump take-out. ,
Playing in a duplicate game, a score of 20 points was
made on a certain deal at many tables while others scored
210 points. It appeared as if a poor play had been per-
petrated. When the board was produced it was found that.
the play had been perfect, but "with every suit stopped
twice, who would not bid a No Trump on this hand?"
A AK J
* K J
+ 87
* K 7 54
74
A 10 6
V 10 8 7 4
4 A J 6 3 2
* 9 3
NORTH
SOUTH
A 985
96532
4 ro 5 4
* A 2
A Q 3 2
V A Q
* KQ 9
* Q J 10 8 6
390 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
North had the deal and bid a Spade, East passed and
sitting in the South position, I bid two Spades. While this
jump bid had little significance, it might prevent a weak
Heart bid, and possibly help towards getting a slam if
North held a four-card Diamond suit and could get a
Heart discard. However, there was absolutely no play in
the hand. The enemy secured their two Aces and we
took in eleven tricks and scored 40 honors. The veriest
novice could not have done less. At the tables where the
South players went to No Trumps, that bid won the
contract. The three of Diamonds was led and the ten
forced the Queen. After the five Spades were cashed in,
East obtained the lead with the Ace of Clubs and four
Diamond tricks saved the game, the Declarant making
eight tricks and scoring 20 points only. The most remark-
able part of the performance was the unanimity of opin-
ion among the South players that the hand was a proper
take-out of the partner's Spade bid, with one of No
Trumps.
Another bidding hand that was the outstanding fea-
ture of a duplicate match played at Hartford, Conn,, was
the following:
WHEN IT PAYS TO PASS
* K 97
10
4 8 7
A 6
V A Q 9 5 42
4 10 9 6 3
* 74
NORTH
SOUTH
A 4 3
8
A K Q J
10 8 5
A Q J ro 8 5 2
V K J 7 6 3
+ 4
* 3
East was the dealer and bid one Diamond. South bid
a Spade, West two Clubs and North two Hearts. When
North showed Hearts, South at once abandoned the
Spades and supported his partner to four Hearts. West
assisted to five Diamonds, which North doubled. To this
point the bidding is conventional. West, after his partner
has gone to four without assistance, has one raise for
him. North has every right to expect a Spade trick with
his partner and at least one ruff in his hand. The onus
is thrown entirely upon the South player.
He knows his hand will produce no quick tricks and
furthermore, his Heart suit is so long that the very first
round of the suit is likely to be trumped. The bidding
would tend to show that both the minor suits are solid
with the opponents and if they can win the first trick
they will probably score a slam. I held the South hand
392 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
and bid five Hearts, which, fortunately, we were per-
mitted to play undoubted and were set for one trick,
less four honors, a loss of 10 points.
At the table where the second high score was made,
the South player passed the five Diamonds doubled, but
West, not satisfied to let well enough alone, redoubled.
South now awoke to the emergency and bid five Hearts,
which was doubled, but the bid, nevertheless, saved hun-
dreds of points. At another table, the deal was played at
five Clubs, doubled and redoubled and the singleton
Spade being opened, a Grand Slam was scored. The loss
here was 720 points, most of which could have been
saved if South had continued on with the Heart bid. At
four tables the "redouble" was made by the fourth
player when a pass would have closed the bidding and
in every instance but one, the opponents went back to
their suit, where the loss was negligible. The curious thing
is that in no case did. the East and West players bid up
to six, which they could have made without trouble.
The moral of this hand is apparent. Don't redouble,
even when the contract is reasonably safe, unless the
enemy have no avenue of escape.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE
THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL CARDS
THERE is nothing of more importance than not-
ing the little cards the deuces and treys in an
Auction Bridge game.
The Aces and Kings are big enough to look out for
themselves, while the little fellows require the careful
guidance of their guardians, before they can grow into
able-bodied, healthy tricks.
To take in a trick with a deuce, is a simple matter,
when everybody has followed to three rounds of the
suit and the card is known to be the last one out a
"thirteener." But when the player holds a six or a seven
and is aware that one or more cards of that suit still
remain unplayed, then a player is marked with unusual
ability if he knows that the card -he holds is the best one
out. It is humiliating, as well as debasing, to endeavor
to draw the opponents ten of trumps with the eight,
especially when the winner of the trick holds a set-up
suit. When the expert makes a faux-pas of this kind he
usually smiles cheerfully and remarks: "Partner, I was
throwing the lead." Of course, nobody believes him, least
of all his partner, but sometimes a poor excuse covers a
multitude of lost tricks.
The following hand was played at fifteen tables in a
duplicate game:
393
394 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
* J9
^ J96S4
+ 874
4 A 10 7 5
V A Q
JS
* Q 10 3 2
NORTH
SOUTH
A K 8
V K 8 7 2
* Q9 3
* A K J 6
V
* Q6 43
V 10 3
4 A K 10 6 2
* 74
I had the deal in the South position and bid a Diamond,
which West overcalled with a Spade and secured the con-
tract. A Diamond was opened and three rounds played,
the Declarant discarding a Club on the last round. Now
the King of Spades, followed by the eight, which West
won with the Ace. In an endeavor to "bump" the trumps
the Declarant led the ten which I won with the Queen
and forced Declarant with a Diamond. On the first two
leads of Spadep I had played the four and six, so I now
had left the three, while West held the seven. If Declarant
draws my trump he has a lay down for ten tricks and the
game, but he has misgivings as to whether his trump is
the top or not. He knows that there is another trump
out and that the six fell under his Ace, so he is rather
dubious as to the status of his seven. After a moment
of suspense, he played the Ace and Queen of Hearts, put
IMPORTANCE OF SMALL CARDS 395
the dummy in with a Club and led the King of Hearts.
Had I ruffed that card the fact that my trump was a
loser would have been disclosed and the game would
have been lost, as Declarant can overruff and make the
rest of the tricks. Instead I discarded a Club and made
my trump on the following Club lead, holding the op-
ponents down to three odd tricks.
It is curious how many situations arise in a Bridge
game that cannot be covered by textbooks or expert
advice. Recently, I saw a game lost, that might have
been saved, more by horse-sense than by so-called card
sense.
* 74
V A K 10 9 7 3
* 9 7 4 3
* 2
* Q J 10 5 3 2
V Q 2
+ K J 10 5
* 9
NORTH
SOUTH
* A 9 8 6
* J 5
4 A Q
* J 8 65 4
* K
8 6 4
^862
* A K Q 10 7 3
South dealt and bid a Club, West showed the Spades
and North overcalled with two Hearts. East and South
supported their partners, but West landed the contract
at four Spades. The play of the hand seemed rather sim-
396 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
pie, the Declarant making the contract with little diffi-
culty. North played two rounds of Hearts and finding the
third Heart with his partner, switched to the Club. South,
playing after the exposed dummy, could have won with
the ten, but put up the Ace and returned the three of
Clubs. The Clubs are all in sight to South, but the player
endeavors to disguise the situation and permit North to
get in a trump, which would defeat the contract.
West, however, was not to be fooled and trumped with
the ten which was much too big for North to beat.
Now the Ace of Spades dropped the lone King and the
game was over. The point of this hand is for South to
try and make the singleton King of Spades. It is appar-
ent that West will endeavor to shut North out from mak-
ing a little trump on the Club lead, if the bidding is borne
in mind. When South wins the third trick, either a Dia-
mond or a Heart should be led so as not to permit the
Declarant to definitely locate the King of Spades with
South. Unless West holds seven Spades, the finesse is a
"natural" and will probably be taken. As the hand was
played, while West could not know that South's King
of Spades was unguarded, he did know it was not in the
North hand and took the only chance to win the game.
The following very pretty hand is a good example of
what can be accomplished by close application to the fall
of the cards:
IMPORTANCE OF SMALL CARDS 397
* J
V Q 10 6 2
* 7 6 4 3
* J 10 7 2
* 8 5 3 2
V AJ 7
+ K J
* A 8 6 4
NORTH
SOUTH
A Q 9 6 4
^ K 9 5 4 3
4 Q 10 8
* K
* A K 10 7
V 8
4 A 9 5 2
* Q9 5 3
South dealt and secured the contract with a bid of one
Spade. The two of Hearts was the opening lead, which
dummy won with the Ace. It is at once apparent that
nothing is to be gained by attempting a suit finesse. Even
should the finesse in Diamonds be successful, a Club dis-
card could hardly be of much value. The best chance is
to play for the long Club suit as, unless that suit is
establishable, there can be no object in getting the op-
posing trumps out. When the Ace of Clubs catches the
lone King, then the deal commences to lend itself to an
accurate count. West has shown a four-card Heart .suit
by the lead of the two. He is now marked with exactly
four Clubs when his partner's King falls. The third lead
is the King of Diamonds, and the eight of Diamonds from
East, shows four Diamonds with West, unless East is
playing a false-card. The following lead of the Jack of
398 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Diamonds is covered by the Queen, won with the Ace and
the low Diamond ruffed in dummy. When the ten is
played by East, every card is infallibly located. Dummy
leads a Heart, which Declarant ruffs with the low trump,
leads the King of Spades and on the next lead of the
nine of Diamonds, dummy discards the remaining Heart.
East trumps and has nothing left to lead but a Heart or
a Spade. On the Heart lead, South discards a Club, ruffs
in dummy and finesses the trump for a total of eleven
tricks. The Spade lead by East away from his tenace
position, will save one trick, but four odd is nevertheless
enough to win the game. It will be noted that the De-
clarant took no finesses on this deal, until every card
was definitely located. Playing this deal by brute force
and taking a second round of trumps when the Jack drops
on the first round, will work out for the loss of the game,
unless the adversaries are unable to offer proper de-
fense. To rely upon mistakes of the opponents, is al-
ways a precarious way to win a rubber.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
TAKING A CHANCE
THE perennial question, as to the relative im-
portance of the bidding and play at Auction
Bridge, has been a bone of contention among
card players for many years.
It may be erroneously surmised that I believe the pre-
ponderance of virtue is with the player. The two inte-
gral parts are so interwoven and inseparable that a
person's ability as a player can only be correctly judged
from his combined knowledge. We often hear: "He plays
the cards well, but his bidding is unreliable," or, "his
bidding is sound but he loses lots of tricks on his play."
The extent of a player's deficiency in either branch of
the game marks the limit of his success as a winning
player.
I do believe, however, that the good player is in a
better position to quickly graduate into the expert class.
Only two things stand in his way, incredulity and obsti-
nacy. He must learn to believe his opponents some-
times and his partners often! The knowledge that he
plays the cards well is not quite sufficient reason for
playing every hand. It is occasionally better and cer-
tainly more profitable, to permit the partner to make
three-odd at Clubs, than to be set at No Trumps. Any
person with a natural aptitude for playing cards should
find Bridge an easy game to learn and a game that amply
rewards one for the amount of study involved.
399
400 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Correct bidding permits the partners to play a deal
at the best make that is contained in the combined
hands. Correct playing permits the culmination of the
contract undertaken. Both factors are of equal impor-
tance.
Occasionally bad bidding or incorrect play on the part
of the enemy, makes the going very hard for the opposi-
tion. It is rare, however, that perfect procedure by the
player will not locate the flaw in the opponents' defense.
The following hand is a good illustration:
* A Q 8
V Q 6 2
+ J6 3
*K8 7 5
A J 10 9 7 3
K 10
4 10 8 5
*QJ3
NORTH
SOUTH
K
9 7 5 4 3
K 94
9642
* 6 5 4 2
V A J 8
4 A Q 7 2
* A 10
South as dealer bid a No Trump, West, one of the
"pusher" type of players, bid two Spades. If North had
doubled this inexcusable bid it would have been defeated
for three or four hundred points. A bid of this sort is
always bad because, if the opponents double, the bidder
has no escape. If the balance of the suit is with the part-
TAKING A CHANCE 401
ner, then the enemy are needlessly warned to switch to
a suit that may land them the game. With such a hand
as West holds, it is practically impossible to make the
game against an opposing No Trump, unless the partner
has sufficient strength to make a directive bid or an infor-
matory double.
In this instance, however, North elected to bid two
No Trumps, which closed the bidding. South played the
hand "naturally," as he said, and was set for one trick,
to the intense joy of West, who claimed full credit for
driving the opponents beyond their depths.
"Boy, page the swimming-master!"
West opened the Jack of Spades, which was covered
by the Queen, the Declarant marking the lead from the
King-jack-ten. East won with the singleton King and
returned the four of Hearts, South played low, West
winning with the King and clearing the Spades. Now
the Jack of Diamonds was led, covered by the King and
Ace and the Declarant was held down to seven tricks
one Spade and two in each of the other suits.
Played correctly, this hand is good not merely for the
contract, but for the game!
While the Declarant is justified in believing the King
of Spades is with the Spade bidder, what can be gained
by playing the Queen on the first trick? If West has
the King and holds the trick, any suit he switches to
should be most pleasing to the Declarant. If West con-
tinues the Spades, then the finesse cannot lose, as East
is marked out. So, the Spade bid instead of being detri-
mental to the Declarant, -should really be of help to
him. However, East having but one Spade, would be
compelled to overtake the Jack and the Heart would be
led as before. When West wins with the King, he can
402 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
continue the Hearts or play a Spade the result will be
the same. A low Diamond should be led and the Queen
finessed. Not holding the ten of Diamonds the best
chance is, to find the King once guarded with East. As
the cards lie, a Diamond trick must be given to East,
but two tricks each in Spades, Hearts and Clubs, and three
in Diamonds are sufficient for the game.
A hand where the player was forced to delve some-
what into superauction to land the game, was the fol-
lowing one:
* J Jo 6 5
* KQs
* A K Q 4 2
* 2
A 10 4
* 53
* J 10 9 8 5 3
It is rather curious that at thirteen tables of dupli-
cate play, only one player succeeded in making game
on this deal.
North was the dealer and bid a Diamond, East passed
and South's No Trump bid secured the contract. West
opened the Jack of Diamonds, which was the correct
TAKING A CHANCE 403
lead, notwithstanding that the suit was bid by the op-
ponent. The Declarant can count exactly seven tricks in
sight, with an extra trick in Spades if that suit hap-
pens to break well. The game-going trick is apparently
not in the hand, as the long Club suit, while capable of
establishment, is one reentry short of bringing it in.
There Is better than an even chance, however, that
the ten of Hearts can be made the needed reentry. East
played the eight of Diamonds on the first lead, mark-
ing him with a singleton in the suit. The supposition is
fair that he holds at least four Hearts. That being so,
his partner can hold but three and therefore the chances
are four to three that the Jack of Hearts is in the East
hand* After winning the first Diamond and leading the
two of Clubs, the second Diamond trick is won and a
low Heart led. The finesse of the ten will enable the
Declarant to force out the King of Clubs, leaving him
still the two Aces to clear and bring in the suit. Four
odd tricks at No Trump were made on this hand by
accepting the only possible chance.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
AGAINST PERFECT DEFENSE
TO become expert at any line of effort, with-
out constant practice against the leading ex-
ponents of the art to be acquired, is almost
an ^insurmountable task. A fine player of any game,
whether it be golf, tennis or bridge, may easily be the
best in his immediate community and looked upon by
his townsmen as quite invincible. It is sometimes dif-
ficult for such a player to comprehend that his success
is based, not so much upon his own perfect play, as it
is upon the weak and incorrect defense of the opposition.
Recently I sat watching a tennis match in a rather
important tournament, where a clever young player was
taking a bad beating from one of our ranking perform-
ers. A friend of his was seated next to me and seemed
much depressed at the exhibition. "Really," he re-
marked, "I never saw him play such a poor game. None
of his good shots are coming off to-day."
It was very likely that the young man was playing
as well as he ever did and his non-success was entirely
due to the superior ability of his opponent. So, at Bridge
a player may meet with great success by overbidding
his cards and saving games at a small sacrifice. Against
more experienced adversaries, he is doubled and forced
to take large penalties that continually put him on the
wrong side of the ledger. Curiously enough, when this
404
AGAINST PERFECT DEFENSE 405
happens, the player is not "off his game." He is simply
unfortunate in not being able to hold anything. It would
be impossible to enumerate the number of bridge hands
that appear to win the game on account of fine play by
the Declarant, when it really is poor play by the de-
fense.
The following hand was won by the South player, who
modestly tried to bear up under his partner's compli-
mentary remark, "Very well played."
The deal was with West, who bid a Heart. North and
East passing, South called a No Trump, which secured
the contract. The King of Hearts was opened and held
the first trick,- East playing the two and South the four.
On the Heart continuation South won and led a low
Club. It is always proper play, when holding three top
honors on two hands, to play the first honor from the
4 o6 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
hand that holds two. This is done so that if a finesse
is necessary, either because one opponent renounces or
the fall of the cards makes it appear that the suit may
be stopped by the enemy, that the finesse can be taken
either way. It is apparent on this hand, if the King in-
stead of a low Club is led, that the suit must be stopped
by East. When the eight is played by West, that player
probably holds the Jack or no more, so dummy plays
the two high honors and the finesse is established against
East. After the Clubs are made, the Spades are set up
and the Declarant gathers in ten tricks for the game
and a trick to spare.
A bit of close study will show that the Declarant
played this hand abominably and was successful only
because the defense played worse. There can be no fault
found with the bidding or the opening lead. When the
first trick is held by the King, West errs badly by fall-
ing into the trap and continuing the suit. If East held
either the Ace or the Jack of Hearts, the high honor
should be played on the partner's King. West should
not open an honor against the No Trump unless he held
three, and it is East's duty to show him where the miss-
ing honor is. If he held the Jack, he should play it and
his refusal to do so, marks it definitely with the enemy.
West's proper play is to switch on the second trick and
the Jack of Diamonds is the card to switch to. On this
line of play the Declarant must be held down to but
eight tricks one short of game.
If this hand is played properly by South, it does not
require contributory negligence on the part of the
enemy to win the game. That the hold-up of the Ace of
Hearts will not prevail against sound play, should be
apparent. The probable switch will be to a Diamond and
AGAINST PERFECT DEFENSE 407
if the King is with East, the game cannot be won. The
danger of East obtaining the lead and coming through the
guarded Jack of Hearts is obvious, but that danger is
more fancied than real. Getting back to fundamentals,
a player should hold two tricks to make an original bid.
West has made such a bid and if he has bid soundly,
the Ace of Spades is marked in his hand. He may, also,
hold the King of Diamonds, but that card in itself is but
half a trick and the balance of the high honors are with
the Declarant and his dummy. Marking the location of
the Ace of Spades permits the Declarant to win the first
trick with the Ace of Hearts. Then the Ace, followed by
the Queen of Clubs, shows the distribution of that suit.
After the Clubs are run off, the Spade suit is cleared and
the game is won irrespective of West's play. To force the
game to a successful issue against the proper play of the
adversaries is infinitely more satisfactory than relying
upon the mistakes of the opposition and it would greatly
benefit players who are somewhat above the standard of
play in their own bailiwick, to try out their game of
Bridge away from home.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR
LUCK-CONFOUNDED
WHILE a great many hands in Auction lend
themselves to brilliant and exceptional plays,
it is nevertheless true that the vast majority
seem to be quite simple and ordinary affairs. To the
"hurry-up" player who quickly takes in his Aces and
Kings and eagerly looks forward to the next deal, all
hands are more or less prosaic. His great thrill comes
when he holds a hundred Aces or all the honors in one
suit. He takes a "natural finesse," which unfortunately
loses and is quite sincere in his comment: "Tough luck,
Partner, if the King were in the other hand, we would
have made a sure game." That there is nearly always
"something more" to most of the simplest appearing
hands, is very hard for many Bridge players to under-
stand. I have illustrated so many intricate and out-of-
the-ordinary situations that it might be well to talk
over a few of the simple hands that appear to play un-
fortunately. It is surprising the number of such deals
that can be turned into game-going hands when the
player uses his head for other than hat-rack purposes.
Possibly the commonest type of hand that appears
uneventful, is where the contract is obtained without
any competition from the adversaries. Aside from the
knowledge that the missing high-card strength is proba-
bly not concentrated in one hand, the Declarant usually
has little to aid him in locating the essential honors. It
LUCK-CONFOUNDED
409
is in such instances that a sound working insight of the
fundamentals is of the utmost value to a player.
* A 3 2
* 5 3
+ AQJ75*
*J7
A K J 8 4
VQ J7
486
* Q 9 42
NORTH
SOUTH
V K 10 4 2
4 K 4
* 10 8 3
A 10 9
V A 9 8 6
4 10 9 3
* A K 6 5
North dealt and bid a Diamond, which was passed
by East, and South's No Trump call secured the con-
tract. The opening lead of the 'four of Spades was won
by East with the Queen and after considerable thought,
the two of Hearts was returned. The switch to Hearts
held the Declarant to eight tricks, one short of game.
Of course, if West had held the King of Diamonds,
there would have been ten tricks in the hand, but with
the King on the wrong side, the game was out of the
question. after the second lead. The Declarant's reason-
ing, that he should hold up the Ace of Spades until the
third round because the Diamond finesse must be taken
into East's hand, is entirely sophistical. If the opening
lead is sound, the game can be won against any dis-
4 io LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
tribution of the cards! The lead of the four against a
No Trump declaration, with the three and two in sight,
shows exactly a four-card suit. The leader would not
play low from a King-Queen-Jack combination, so the
partner must have one of those honors. After winning
the first trick, East can see that but two more tricks
are possible for their partnership in Spades and the
lead of a Heart is practically obligatory. It is obvious
to the Declarant that such a switch will prevent him
from winning the game, and the Ace of Spades should
be immediately played to the very first trick. The enemy
have but three Spade tricks to make in any event and
if the King of Diamonds is in the East hand, it must
win, but three-odd tricks are quite sufficient to land the
game. After the first trick is won in dummy, South ob-
tains the lead with the Clubs and tries the Diamond
finesse. It may be argued that my statement that the
game can be won against any distribution is rather
broad, as if East held all four Diamonds and refused
to win the first or second round, the game might still be
saved. Such a distribution would be impossible, if the
first lead is proper. If East held all four Diamonds, West
would be void of the suit. Holding a void suit, West must
have a suit of at least five cards, which he denies on his
opening lead. It should be noted on this hand that if
the enemy had gone blithely on with the Spades until
the Ace was forced to win the trick, the unsound play
of the Declarant would have been glossed over and un-
noticed. It is only when playing against the best de-
fense that errors of this kind show up so glaringly.
A hand where unexpected and unfortunate distribution
of the cards seemed to be responsible for the loss of the
game, is the following:
LUCK-CONFOUNDED
411
4
*
A 9 2
3
9864
9 7 5 4 2
*
V
4
K 4
Q J8S4
Q J-3
A Q 10
NORTH
A
A
V
4
V A K 10
4 10 7 5 2
* K J 6 3
Q J 10 7 6 3
9 7 6 2
A K
8
South had the deal and his bid of a Spade was proper,
with his compensating tricks in Diamonds. West bid two
Hearts and North raised to two Spades. It is a dose
question as to whether North has a sound assist on the
first round of bidding, but his singleton in the adverse
suit makes the hand appear very helpful. East called
three Hearts and South went to three Spades. West per-
sisted to four Hearts which ,can be made on a Spade
opening but South went to four Spades, after North
and East passed. This bid was doubled by West and
passed all around. The five of Hearts was opened and
it was a distinct shock to West when the Ace of Spades
appeared in the dummy. East won with the King of
Hearts, the deuce falling Fourth Hand. East could count
the Declarant with three Hearts remaining. On the rule
of eleven, there must be six Hearts higher than the five
LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
three of which are with East. With three trumps in
dummy the Declarant will doubtless ruff his losing
Hearts, if he is permitted to, so East leads the eight of
Spades, South putting up the Queen and the King goes
to the Ace. Putting his hand in with the Diamonds,
South ruffs two Hearts, losing one Heart and one Club
at the end, but succeeds in making his doubled contract.
If East had not led the trumps, the Declarant would
have ruffed three Hearts, but the King of Spades would
have been made by West, with the same result. East's
play was correct, but West erred deplorably in putting
up the King of Spades. No good can possibly be accom-
plished by going up with the King, and if South has two
Hearts to ruff in dummy, he must be forced to ruff one
with the Ace, permitting West to make the King and de-
feating the contract for a trick.
THE NEW YORK THEATREGOERS PRIZE
BRIDGE CONTEST PROBLEMS AND
SOLUTIONS
THE NEW YORK THEATREGOERS PRIZE
BRIDGE CONTEST
Double Dummy Problems are played with all the cards
exposed and it is not necessary to "guess" or "infer" the
position of the cards. Hence, the result must be obtained
against perfect defense. By perfect defense is meant any
and all defenses that the adversaries may offer. A Bridge
Problem can have but one correct solution. The varia-
tions given show the play against alternative methods of
defense, but usually the best defense is that first shown.
The Twenty-Four Problems following were published in
over sixty of the leading New York Theatre Programs, in
two series of twelve, one Problem appearing each week.
Prizes were given for the best solution of each Problem
and at the conclusion of the first series the three leading
contestants were awarded special prizes the winner re-
ceiving a Gold Medal emblematic of the New York
Theatregoers' Bridge Championship.
Of the thousands of replies received, only six succeeded
in correctly answering all of the first twelve Problems.
The Perfect Solvers were :
Robert C. Myles, Jr.
Ernest King Weil
John L. Steinbugler
Miss Josephine Flood
Paul S. Zuckermati
James Frederick Tanner
4iS
416 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Under the conditions of the contest, Mr. Myles won
the First Prize, Mr. Weil, Second, and Mr. Steinbugler,
Third.
The solutions published are those of the individual Prob-
lem winners and the figures after the Problem numbers,
are the percentage of correct replies received to that Prob-
lem.
SIDNEY S. LENZ
PROBLEM NUMBER ONE
(Of the answers sent in, 38 per cent were correct)
v A
4 A
* K J .<;/
4874
*
* 5
y _ _
* Q 10
* A Q
* Q
V 2
4 K J 9
*
Spades are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win four of the five tricks against any defense
by East and West.
4i8 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TWO
(Of the answers sent in, 32 per cent were correct)
* Q74
.* Q
4 Q 7
* J>
Diamonds are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win all seven tricks against any defense by
East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER THREE 419
PROBLEM NUMBER THREE
(Of the answers sent in, 28 per cent were correct)
A K
V KQ J 7
* J3
A J 54
7 5
JO
NORTH
SOUTH
I *
V 10 8
+ AQ
* Kg 7
A Q 3
* Q 8 2
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win six of the seven tricks against any defense
by East and West.
420 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER FOUR
(Of the answers sent in, 17 P er cent were correct)
8 4*
Hearts are Trumps, South has the lead. North and
South must win all six tricks against any defense by East
and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER FIVE
421
PROBLEM NUMBER FIVE
(Of the answers sent in, g per cent were correct")
Spa'des are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win four of the six tricks against any defense
by East and West.
422 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER SIX
i
(Of the answers sent in, 16 per cent were correct)
4k 10
V 8 z
^
* K 1 4
V 10 3
*'AT
* -1 ' '
7
4
8
4 9 6
* 6
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win five of the six tricks, against any defense
by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVEN 423
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVEN
(Of the answers sent in, 8 per cent were correct)
Q io
*'Q53
Spades are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win all seven tricks against any defense by
East and West.
424 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER EIGHT
(Of the answers sent in, 12 per cent were correct)
Diamonds are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win four of the seven tricks against any de-
fense by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER NINE
425
PROBLEM NUMBER NINE
(Of the answers sent in, 14. per cent were correct)
V A K J
4 K 10 8 5
* 8 3
+ A ] 7
* Q S
NORTH
SOUTH
% * K
6 4 2
4k A 2
V Q94
* A 9
Clubs are Trumps. South has the lead. North and South
must win six of the seven tricks against any defense by
East and West.
426 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TEN
(Of the answers sent in, p per cent were correct)
* K 3
V 8
* Q8 73
* 6
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North anc
South must win all eight tricks against any defense b}
East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER ELEVEN 427
PROBLEM NUMBER ELEVEN
(Of the answers sent in, 26 per cent were correct)
4 A J
Q97S
V Q
4 10
* 7
A J 54
A K 6
Clubs are Trumps. South has the Lead. North and
South must win six of the seven tricks against any defense
by East and West.
428 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TWELVE
(Of the answers sent in, j per cent were correct}
There are No Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win 'six of the seven tricks against any de-
fense by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER THIRTEEN 429
PROBLEM NUMBER THIRTEEN
(Oj the answers sent in, 47 per cent were correct)
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win two of the four tricks against any defense
by East and West,
430 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER FOURTEEN
(Of the answers sent in, 39 per cent were correct)
4 A 8 3
* J
Clubs are Trumps, South has the lead. North and
South must win three of the five tricks against any de-
fense by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER FIFTEEN 431
PROBLEM NUMBER FIFTEEN
(Of the answers sent in, 12 per cent were correct)
Diamonds are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win seven of the eight tricks against any de-
fense by East and West.
432 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER SIXTEEN
(Of the answers sent in, 13 per cent were correct)
* J
V QS 3
Q 10 8
Spades are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win five of the seven tricks against any de-
fense by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVENTEEN 433
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVENTEEN
(Of the answers sent in, 7 per cent were correct)
* Q7 5 4
A 10 8 6 3 2
* J96 3
4 K
Spades are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win eight of the ten tricks against any defense
by East and West.
434 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER EIGHTEEN
(Of the answers sent in, 6 per cent were correct)
J7
A K J 98 6
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win six of the eight tricks against any defense
by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER NINETEEN 435
PROBLEM NUMBER NINETEEN
(Of the answer sent in, 12 per cent were correct)
Hearts are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win all seven tricks against any defense by
East and West.
436 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY
(Of the answers sent in, 8 per cent were correct)
Diamonds are Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win five of the six tricks against any defense
by East and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-ONE 437
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-ONE
(Of the answers sent in, n per cent were correct)
Spades are Trumps. South has the lead* North and
South must win six of the seven tricks against any defense
by East and West.
438 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-TWO
(Of the answers sent in, 4 per cent were correct)
Clubs are Trumps. South has the lead. North and South
must win all seven tricks against any defense by East
and West.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-THREE 439
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-THREE
(Of the answers sent in, 6 per cent were correct)
V KJ
* Q9 7 S
* K 3
* 4
NORTH
SOUTH
10
8
K862
* Q5
A 10 7 3
* J
Hearts arc Trumps. South has the lead. North and
South must win six of the seven tricks against any defense
by East and West.
440 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-FOUR
(Of the answers sent in, i per cent were correct)
4
"10 9
QJ7S
AQJ8
Spades are Trumps, South has the lead. North and
South must win eight of the nine tricks against any de~
fense by East and West.
SOLUTION TO ONE 441
PROBLEM NUMBER ONE
Winning Solution by /. W. Header
South "draws the Trumps, North discarding the ace of
Hearts; South follows with the lead of the Heart deuce,
on which North throws his Ace of Diamonds.
West must now lead a Diamond, and South takes the
remaining tricks.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWO
Winning Solution by Robert C. Myles, Jr.
South leads the ten of Spades, West plays the Queen,
North trumps with the two. (If West plays a small Spade
instead of the Queen, North would discard a Club, then
North and South would take three Diamonds, a Heart
and two Club tricks,)
North leads the King of Hearts and South trumps with
the Jack*
South leads the four of Diamonds, North overtakes
whichever card West plays and leads trumps again. South
discards the three of Spades.
North leads the four of Clubs, South wins with the
King. South then makes his eight of Spades and leads
his eight of Clubs to North's ten*
PROBLEM NUMBER THREE
Winning Solution by Josephine Flood
South leads Jack of Diamonds, which North trumps
and then returns Jack of Clubs.
442 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
East as best defense plays low and South overtakes with
Queen.
South leads King of Diamonds, which North trumps
and follows with two Heart tricks; South discarding Clubs.
North's King of Spades is taken by West who is forced
to lead up to good Queen of Spades in South's hand.
PROBLEM NUMBER FOUR
Winning Solution by John L. Steinbugler
1. South leads King of Spades, on which North plays
nine.
2. South leads five of Clubs, which North trumps,
3. North leads Trump, forcing East to discard the los-
ing Diamond (5). South discards six of Diamonds.
a) If West discards a Diamond, North makes two
Diamond tricks and a Spade trick,
b) If West discards a Spade, North-South makes
three tricks with Ace of Diamonds and lead of
Spades through East,
c) Therefore West discards ten of Clubs,
4. North leads Ace of Diamonds, forcing East to dis-
card either
a) a Spade, on which South discards the losing nine
of Clubs and makes two remaining Spade tricks,
or
b) if East discards the Queen of Clubs, South dis-
cards seven of Spades, making the two remaining
tricks on North's lead of the three of Spades,
SOLUTION TO FIVE 443
PROBLEM NUMBER FIVE
Winning Solution by Ernest K. Weil
South opens 3 + West plays 6 and North takes trick
with 10 (West's play here of K ^ would be taken by
A in North). North leads A 4 East trumping with 7 and
leading back Ace of Trump, North dropping King. East
continues with Jack Trump, South taking trick with Queen
and leading back 10 A and 5 V for last two tricks. East's
lead of a Club on 4th trick would be trumped by North,
and South's Queen and 10 of Trump would make last
two tricks.
VARIATIONS
East's lead of Jack of Trump on third trick would go
to North's King, North leading back a Diamond. If East
trumps with Ace, his last Trump, South throws 5 V and
makes 2 Trumps, If East throws a Club South trumps
with 10 and leads a Heart, West trumping, North over-
trumping with 9 and East taking trick with Ace, South
making last trick with Queen Trump.
East leads a Club on third trick and South throws 5 V
North trumping with 9 and leading back King of Trump.
If East takes trick South makes last two tricks on Queen
and ten of Trumps. Should East pass King of Trump
North leads a Diamond and South must make either
Queen or ten of Trump on 5th or 6th trick.
East's refusal to trump Diamond on second trick would
lose, North retaining lead and playing Trump King. East
must take with Ace of Trump as South would have to
make a Trump trick on 4th or $th trick* On East's taking
home King with Ace, South holds tenace position over
'444 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
Jack of Trump in East and makes 2 tricks on either a
Club or Trump lead:
PROBLEM NUMBER SIX
Winning Solution by Mrs. William Barclay
Trick
fFVjf
North
East
South
i
4 10
+ J
* 3
4 Q*
2
* 4
4 A
4 4
* J*
3
* J
* S
4 7
4 8*
4
* 8
10*
+ 2
4 6
5
2
* 3
V 4*
* 6
6
* K
* 3
8
+ 9*
North was prepared to overtrump West on any trick>
after which he would lead his second Trump.
To win five tricks, it was imperative that North un-
block the Diamonds.
Had South led the nine of Diamonds on trick 4, East
would have won the last two tricks.
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVEN
Winning Solution by James Frederick Tanner
South leads the five of Diamonds, North trumps with
the eight, East discards the seven of Hearts. North leads
the Ace of Clubs. North leads the trey of Spades, West
discards the Queen of Diamonds. South leads King of
Diamonds, West discards the ten of Hearts, North the
deuce of Clubs, East the eight of Clubs. South leads
Jack of Clubs, West covers with the Queen, North trumps,
SOLUTION TO SEVEN 445
and East's ten of Clubs falls. North leads a Heart which
South takes with the King. South's nine of Clubs is good.
VARIATIONS
If to the fourth trick (the King of Diamonds) West
'discards a Club, South will next lead the nine of Clubs.
West's lone Queen will be trumped, and South's Jack
set up.
If to the fourth trick East 'discards a Heart, South will
next lead the King of Hearts, thereby setting up a Heart
trick in North's hand.
If to the fifth trick, West does not cover South's Jack
of Clubs, the Jack will hold and North will discard a
Heart.
PROBLEM NUMBER EIGHT
Winning Solution by Ralph West Roby
SOLUTION
South leads a Spade and North discards a Heart. West
wins a Club trick and then leads a Heart which South
wins with the Ace. South leads his Spade and North dis-
cards his remaining Heart. Any lead by West gives North
the three remaining tricks.
COMMENT
In order for North and South to take four tricks the
four of Diamonds must win a trick. This can be accom-
plished only by ruffing a $uit in which East cannot over-
ruff. It is necessary, therefore, for North to rid his hand
of Hearts, which can be accomplished only by having two
Spade leads before the second lead of Hearts.
446 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER NINE
Winning Solution by Jeanne Ballot
South leads the Ace of Spades, West discards a Dia-
mond. North trumps with the Queen and leads the five
of Clubs, which South takes, West discarding the Jack
of Hearts.
South leads his other Trump. West discards the King
of Hearts and North the three of Hearts.
South leads the 2 of Spades. West discards the 8 of
Diamonds, and North the 8 of Hearts, East taking with
the King. East leads a Diamond and North makes his
three Diamonds.
VARIATION
Should West discard the Ace of Hearts, North discards
the seven of Diamonds on the 2 of Spades lead, keeping
a Heart to lead to South's Queen.
PROBLEM NUMBER TEN
Winning Solution by A. F* Rose
South leads Q of Spades which West must cover and
North trump.
North leads K of Diamonds which South overtakes with
A.
South leads J of Diamonds which West must cover with
Queen and North trumps.
North then leads his last Trump. If East discards* his
Spade South's four is good! If he discards his Diamond
the nine is made and a Club discard gives all Club tricks
to North. '
SOLUTION TO TEN 447
South now makes either the Spade or Diamond trick
depending on East's discard on previous trick. East must
again decide between two discards which give North and
South the remaining tricks.
If as variation West refuses to go up on either the first
or third tricks North, of course, does not trump and the
solution is simplified.
PROBLEM NUMBER ELEVEN
Winning Solution by Paul S, Zuckerman
South leads the Heart Ace, North discards the Spade
Jack. South leads the Diamond six and West wins with
the ten. West must lead a Spade or Club which North
wins and South discards the Diamond Ace. North then
leads the Spade or Club whichever is left South dis-
cards the Diamond King and North's three remaining
Diamonds are good.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWELVE
Winning Solution by Donald F. Van Leuven
South leads the six of Clubs, North plays low, allowing
East to win. East returns a Club, South discards the
four of Diamonds and North's King wins. North leads
his Diamond, East discards a Spade to protect his Hearts,
and South wins; returning the King of Hearts. West dis-
cards a Diamond, and North, a Club. South now plays
two rounds of Spades, North wins the second round and
thus establishes his ten. Had East thrown a Heart on
trick three, South would have made his second Heart,
instead of establishing North's Spade*
LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
VARIATIONS
' East leads a Spade for trick two, South wins, plays
King of Hearts, and follows with a Spade to North's
, If East leads a Heart, South wins, plays a Spade
then leads to North's Ace. In each instance South re-
s his Jack of Diamonds for a reentry and West is
ped, having to discard a Club or a Diamond, thus
endering the three remaining tricks,
aould West play the eight spot on trick one In an
tnpt to win and lead a Diamond (which would lose
battle for North and South), North covers with the
y and returns his lowest Club, South discarding his
[1 Diamond, and East must win or North's four of
?s will be good. South now proceeds as In original
of hand and establishes either North's Spade or his
small Heart.
PROBLEM NUMBER THIRTEEN
Winning Solution by Elizabeth A. Brown
South leads 5 of Hearts, throwing lead to East
East's lead of Spades is trumped by North, South
irding Diamonds.
North's lead of Clubs forces high trump from West
secures final trick, either with South's Queen, if East
irds on (3); or with remaining trump North, if East's
: forces South's Queen, forcing West's King.
PROBLEM NUMBER FOURTEEN
Winning Solution by James Frederick Tanner
>uth leads the Jack of Clubs, North discards the
SOLUTION TO THIRTEEN 449
Jack of Diamonds. South leads the three of Diamonds,
West plays the King, North unblocks by throwing the
ten. West leads the Jack of Spades, which North refuses
to cover. West is forced to lead up to South's tenace in
Diamonds.
VARIATIONS
If, to the second trick, West plays low permitting East
to win with Queen of Diamonds, North cannot be pre-
vented from making the Queen of Spades.
If, to the third trick, East plays the King of Spades,
overtaking West's Jack, North makes the Queen.
Should South open with the Ace of Diamonds followed
by another Diamond, West, to the third trick, should lead
the Jack of Spades which East should overtake and return
the suit.
It is essential that North play Diamond honors to the
first and second tricks in order to unblock the suit*
PROBLEM NUMBER FIFTEEN
Winning Solution by Mrs. Clayton DuBosque
South leads six of Hearts* East wins trick and leads a
Heart, which North trumps* North leads ten of Spades,
East covers, and South takes trick. South then leads four
of Diamonds. (From this point future course depends
on whether West plays the King or seven.)
I, If West plays King:
North takes trick with Ace and leads nine of Spades,
which holds the trick when East must play low. North
450 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
then leads another Spade, which South takes, leaving a
cross ruff with the two high Jumps.
2. If West plays seven:
North takes trick with ten of Diamonds, then leads
nine of Spades, which holds the trick when East must
play low. North again leads to South's high Spade. South
returns Diamond to North's Ace, thus drawing remaining
Trumps and making good North's thirteenth Spade.
PROBLEM NUMBER SIXTEEN
Winning Solution by Mrs. Anna L. Freese
1. South leads three of Trumps, West winning with
Jack, North discarding seven of Diamonds*
2. West leads eight of Clubs which South wins with
Ace.
3. South leads King of Trumps, West discarding three
of Hearts, and North a small Club.
4. South leads six of Diamonds, West discarding the
five of Hearts, North a small Club and East a Club.
5. South leads six of Hearts, West winning with Queen.
6. West leads Queen of Clubs, which North takes with
King.
7. North leads four of Hearts, South winning with Jack*
VARIATIONS
If on trick 4 West discards ten of Clubs, North dis-
cards a small Heart. If East
a) also discards a Club, South leads four of
North making King and five.
SOLUTION TO SIXTEEN 451
b) discards a Heart, South leads four of Clubs,
North winning with King. North leads the Heart
which South covers with the Jack, West winning
with Queen. South makes last trick with six of
Hearts.
West's lead of a Club on the second trick is forced, as
a Heart lead would establish South's Jack.
The play is unchanged if West discards a Club on the
third trick.
PROBLEM NUMBER SEVENTEEN
Winning Solution by John P. Poe
South leads King of Diamonds, North overtaking with
Ace and returning Queen of Diamonds which South
trumps. South then leads Spade which West must take
with Ace. West must now lead either a Heart or a Dia-
mond.
(i) If West leads Heart, North trumps and leads Jack
of Diamonds which South trumps. South leads small
Heart which North trumps and returns Ten of Diamonds,
South again trumping. South now leads Jack of Hearts
and however West plays, he can only make King of
Spades.
(z) If West leads a Diamond, North takes with Jack
and South discards a Heart, North then leads Ten of Dia-
monds which South trumps* South now leads a Spade and
after West takes King of Spades North can trump either
Heart or Diamond lead. North then leads Queen of
Spades, killing West's Jack and North's two Clubs are
good.
452 LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
PROBLEM NUMBER EIGHTEEN
Winning Solution by Elizabeth E. Clarke
After South makes the Ace and King of Diamonds,
West is put in with the Club. North must refuse to
trump the Clubs but discards the three Spades. South
discards a Diamond on the second lead of Clubs and
trumps the third round.
East, on the third Club, is squeezed.
A Diamond discard sets up the Diamond with North
and a Spade permits South to establish a Spade trick by
ruffing in North hand. The Trump lead picks up the
Queen and the remaining Spade wins the last trick. Should
East trump the Club, North and South cross-ruff the rest
of the tricks.
VARIATIONS
Ruffing the Club or the opening lead and endeavoring
to place the lead with West by playing the Ace and a low
Diamond will not solve as East can overtake with the
Queen and make the two Spade tricks,
If a Spade is led initially, an immediate Club return
by East will defeat the hand*
PROBLEM NUMBER NINETEEN
Winning Solution by Claire Goldberg
South leads nine of Spades, North discards Ace of
Diamonds. South plays Jack of Diamonds, West cover*
and North ruffs, returning small Club which is won by
South. South plays King of Hearts followed by five of
Spades. East's best defense is a Lindbergh to Paris*
SOLUTION TO NINETEEN 453
VARIATION
At second trick West's refusal to cover Jack of Dia-
monds simplifies problem. North, will ruff on South's
Diamond four lead and return Club which South wins.
South plays Heart, Spade and Club in sequence.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY
Winning Solution by Lieutenant W. F. Boone, U. S. N.
I* South leads the Ten of Diamonds, North discards
the Four of Hearts. West and East immediately are con-
fronted with the problem of discarding, and certain facts
become evident. Neither caa discard a Club this round
without permitting South's second lead to establish a Club
trick in North's hand on which to throw the losing Spade.
Until South relinquishes the lead, either West or East
must keep both Spades to prevent a second Spade trick
in South's hand. One must keep both Hearts, and East
must retain the King, as long as the Ten of Hearts re-
mains in North's hand as a potential trick. Therefore,
West may discard a Heart or Spade on the first Diamond
lead, and subsequently East and West are each forced to
be governed in their discarding by the play of the other,
due to the Spade-Heart-Club situation just outlined,
2. Suppose West discards a Heart East must discard *a
Spade, South then leads the Five of Diamonds and West
must play a Club or Heart. Should West play a Club,
North plays the Ten of Hearts. South on the third lead
gives East the King of Clubs, establishing two Club tricks
for North and assuring North and South of winning the
remaining three tricks regardless of East's lead. Should
West throw the Queen of Hearts on the second Diamond,
LENZ ON BRIDGE, VOLUME TWO
th discards the deuce of Clubs, and East must dis-
L a Club or second Spade. In either case, South's third
. of the King of Spades (North plays the Five of
bs) followed by the Ten of Clubs gives East the
. with only Hearts left which must be led up to North,
then wins the two remaining Heart tricks.
To go back to the first Diamond lead, suppose West
ts to discard a Spade. East must play a Heart. On the
nd Diamond lead West must discard a Club or Spade.
Vest's discard is a Club, North plays the Tea of
rts. South's third lead is the Club, and the situation
le same as in paragraph 2. If West's discard is a
ie, North plays the deuce of Clubs, and East must
a Club. South ? s next lead is to the Ace of Hearts.
th leads a Club which throws the lend to East with the
, and South wins the two remaining tricks when
: must lead Spades to him,
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-ONE
Winning Solution by G. JK.* Pa&ridge
mth leads the Ace of Clubs, North discarding the
of Diamonds. South follows with his low Diamond
:h North ruffs with the Ace, and forces the lead on
t with a Trump. South wins two Diamond tricks, on
second of which East must give up the King of Clubs
nguard the Queen of Hearts.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-TWO
Winning Solution by Chas. /. Stelnbugler
outh leads the Jack of Diamonds, West and North
i playing low. South then leads the three of Spade*,
SOLUTION TO TWENTY-ONE 455
West playing the eight and North winning with the nine.
On North's lead of the Diamond Ace South discards his
Heart and Trumps a Heart lead with the three spot. A
Spade puts North in again, and South trumps his Dia-
mond lead, North winning the seventh trick with the
King of Clubs.
VARIATIONS
If on the second trick West plays the Queen of Spades,
North wins with the King and leads the Ace of Diamonds,
allowing South to discard the Heart. North then leads
the King of Trumps and puts South in with a Spade.
South draws the last Trump and makes his odd Spade.
If on the first trick West covers with the Queen of Dia-
monds, North wins with the Ace and leads the ten spot,
South discarding the Heart* South now ruffs a Heart lead
with the three spot and leads a high Spade; whether or
not West covers, a second Spade is played, which North
wins. South ruffs a Diamond lead and North's King of
Trumps wins the last trick*
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-THREE
Winning Solution by Elizabeth E, Clarke
South leads the Queen of Spades, which West covers,
and North trumps with Jack* North makes his King of
Trumps and leads the Club, which South trumps. South
makes his five of Spades and leads the Diamond; West is
forced to trump and lead up to South's tenace.
If West refuses to cover the first trick, North discards
a Diamond and trumps a second Spade lead. The remain-
4$6 LENZ ON BRIDGE-, VOLUME TWO
ing play is unchanged, except that South is not now ob-
liged to trump the Club, but may discard his Diamond.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWENTY-FOUR
Winning Solution by Charles H. Scribner, Jr.
South opens with the Ace of Hearts, on which East
drops the King to avoid taking the second Heart trick
and being forced to lead into North's hand. South shifts
to Clubs, leading the Jack; North plays low and East
refuses to take the trick for the reason mentioned above.
South now leads the Club Ace and follows with the eight
of Hearts, forcing West, who is now reduced to Spades
and Diamonds, to win the trick. North gets in on the next
lead an r d South discards his two high Hearts on the Spade
and Diamond tricks, permitting North's three small
Hearts to win the remaining tricks.
THE ENE
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