QUICK CROSSWORD

It is an oft- discussed question: Which is most important: bidding, declarer- play or defense?

My view is that the higher the standard of the event, the more important the bidding. This is because experts can all play the cards well.

Buy Eric Rodwell’s “Bidding Topics” ( Baron Barclay) if you want some insight into expert thinking on the subject. Rodwell, seven times a world champion, is one of the greatest bidding theorists of all time. In this book, he analyzes ideas of his own, like support doubles, and those of other people; for example, inverted minor- suit raises.

Today’s deal occurred during the 2014 Grand National Teams. At the other table, Michael Seamon ( North) sensibly passed over West’s oneheart opening. Partner was a passed hand, and he had only 11 points, so they had at best a partscore, and the vulnerability was unfavorable. After that, East- West bid to three no- trump and made an overtrick. In the given auction, Rodwell ( East) redoubled to show 10 points or more. Then, over South’s one- spade advance, an inexperienced player would have bid two hearts with the West hand, but not Jeff Meckstroth. He knew that he had respectable defensive values should his partner wish to try to penalize the opponents. And that is exactly what happened, South ending in two diamonds doubled.

After West led the spade queen, the defenders, with a little help from declarer, took three spades, one heart, three diamonds, two clubs, a spade ruff by West and a heart ruff in the East hand for down six, 1,700 to East- West. Copyright United Feature Syndicate

( Asia Features)