Magic Pulls Grand Slam Out of Hat by Goren y Sharif

By Charles H. Goren and Omar Sharif

Dear Readers: We have had many requests over the years for those hands that we consider to be our favorites. That makes quite a list. For the time being, therefore, we are devoting the Saturday column to a series of famous hands. At the end of the series, we will go back to our weekly column.Mano Dummy reversal

North-South vulnerable. North deals.

Opening lead: heartJ

Sidney Lenz the Grand Old Man of bridge, was a man of many talents. His tournament victories spanned three phases of the game—whist, auction bridge and contract. As a writer, he was the first to write about many of the plays that have become standard today, in addition, he was one of the finest amateur magicians of her day, a high ranked table tennis star and a witty raconteur

His many talents were evident in this hand. First, he bid a grand slam without an ace in his hand, almost a feat of mental telepathy. Then he used his magic to bring home the contract.

West led the heartJ, and declarer could count only 12 tricks-5 trumps, 1 diamond and 6 clubs. It seemed that there was no way to get rid of the losing diamond in his hand because declarer would have to draw at least three rounds of trumps before he could take any discards on his club suit.

However, the high trumps in dummy suggested a method that would allow declarer to increase the number of his tricks by one. He ruffed the opening lead, cashed the spadeK and crossed to the table with the trump queen, in the process learning that trumps were 3-2.

A heart ruff was followed by a diamond to the ace and another heart, ruffed with declarer’s last trump, the jack. Now declarer needed to clear just one final hurdle to land his grand slam—a club break no worse than 3-1.

When a club to the ace went through, the rest was easy. Declarer drew the last trump, discarding a diamond from his hand, and then scored the balance of the tricks, with his clubs. Declare romped home by the simple expedient of increasing five trump winners to six—three ruffs in hand and three high trumps. In those days, this was considered magic. Today, there is a name for the play used by Lenz a dummy reversal

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

Bridge & Humor: The Culbertson Bid For Wife

During a trip to Italy when still a young man bridge expert Ely Culbertson got into a discusion about matrimony.

Rule of 17

If partner opens the bidding with a weak two,...

The Dean of the Paradoxical Bridge Hands

Jan Wohlin of Stockholm, the dean of the paradoxical bridge hands, has come up with another gem.

Competing to 3 Spades

You have five spades and if partner has three spades you have an eight-card spade fit. What does it take to bid 3 spades in competition holding five spades...

Draw the Inference by Frank Stewart

In 1966, Hugh Kelsey made his reputation as an author in one stroke with 'Killing Defense at Bridge' but...

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES