Some Number of Spades Now the we are well into the first week it is business as usual with stories coming in to the office from all the usual suspects. You might enjoy this one from the Mixed Teams Consolation. Dealer North. East/West Vul.   ♠ A Q 9 7 6 5 4 3 ♥ K Q B 5 2 ♦ - ♣ -     After North opens 1♣ your partner passes and South responds 1♥. My informant, the genial Sascha Wernle politely enquired what I would do with this hand. ‘Some number of spades’ was the obvious start and as Tacchi fancied 4♠ I could hardly bid less. ‘Okay, you go for at least 800.’ This was what happened at the table: Dealer North. East/West Vul   ♠ K 10 8 2 ♥ A 10 ♦ K 10 5 ♣ A 5 3 2 ♠ A Q 9 7 6 5 4 3 ♥ K Q 8 5 2 ♦ - ♣ - ♠ - ♥ 7 ♦ Q J 8 7 6 3 ♣ Q J 10 8 7 6   ♠ J ♥ J 9 6 4 3 ♦ A 9 4 2 ♣ K 9 4 West North East South Wernle Smederevac   1♦ Pass 1♥ 4♠ Dble 5♣ Dble 5♠ Dble All Pass   As Edgar Kaplan might have remarked 4♠ is the right bid – but not on this deal. It cost 1100. When Tacchi was given the auction and asked what he would do over the double of 5♣ he said he would draw his Smith & Weston and shoot partner, echoing his father’s words, ‘A Smith & Weston beats Four Aces.’ Still, West doubtless consoled himself with the thought that his opposite number might well get into trouble at the other table. Let’s take a look: West North East South Birman Birman 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT 2♠ All Pass     David Birman’s wait and see approach paid a big dividend. Reckoning North/South could make 1NT (indeed, as nine tricks are possible) he contended himself with 2♠ and although that failed by one trick his thoughtful approach had contributed significantly to a massive gain for his team.

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