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Literary
April 18, 1944
Henderson Daily Dispatch
Henderson, Vance County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Shepard Barclay's bridge column discusses the borderline for opening bids, advising to bid marginal hands in second position after a pass. Analyzes a hand where South opens and makes 1 Spade. Poses tomorrow's problem on seeking 4 Spades.
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Full Text
BARCLAY ON BRIDGE
By Shepard Barclay
"The Authority on Authorities"
ON THE BORDER LINE
What do you consider the border line between a hand barely strong enough for an opening bid and one barely too weak?
Whatever it is, in your system of counting, there is one way to resolve the question. Treat it as too weak to bid in dealer's position, but strong enough if you are in the second-hand spot. The reason is simple. One opponent, having failed to open, cannot have a strong hand. His holding ranges from mediocre to weak. That increases the likelihood that your partner has enough strength to protect your bid.
(Diagram: Cards, Pitcher side vul.)
Reaching out for game, as that pair did, is justifiable in rubber bridge, or in total point duplicate, when it would not be in match-point contests. But the principle underlying South's opening bid would be the same.
would be South: at any time last having passed, it was more likely that North has a bit of strength than if South had been dealer and East had not been heard from.
The chances were South would gun at least a part-score for his side by bid, rather than cause his opponents to go.
West led his diamond K, and South made his contract without any fancy plays. He had to have a bit of luck, having traps so that he would lose only one trick in the suit, and managing to limit his other losses to one trick each in hearts and clubs. But all of the breaks developed for him. Even if he had lost one trick in each of those suits, however, he still would have had a total of seven tricks, enough to make 1-Spade as a justifier of his bid.
Tomorrow's Problem
(Diagram cards)
(Dealer East Neither side vulnerable)
What is the best way for South to seek 4-Spade on this deal after West leads the club K?
THIMBLE THEATRE
BLONDIE
(Registered U. S. Patent Office)
Starring Popeye
By Shepard Barclay
"The Authority on Authorities"
ON THE BORDER LINE
What do you consider the border line between a hand barely strong enough for an opening bid and one barely too weak?
Whatever it is, in your system of counting, there is one way to resolve the question. Treat it as too weak to bid in dealer's position, but strong enough if you are in the second-hand spot. The reason is simple. One opponent, having failed to open, cannot have a strong hand. His holding ranges from mediocre to weak. That increases the likelihood that your partner has enough strength to protect your bid.
(Diagram: Cards, Pitcher side vul.)
Reaching out for game, as that pair did, is justifiable in rubber bridge, or in total point duplicate, when it would not be in match-point contests. But the principle underlying South's opening bid would be the same.
would be South: at any time last having passed, it was more likely that North has a bit of strength than if South had been dealer and East had not been heard from.
The chances were South would gun at least a part-score for his side by bid, rather than cause his opponents to go.
West led his diamond K, and South made his contract without any fancy plays. He had to have a bit of luck, having traps so that he would lose only one trick in the suit, and managing to limit his other losses to one trick each in hearts and clubs. But all of the breaks developed for him. Even if he had lost one trick in each of those suits, however, he still would have had a total of seven tricks, enough to make 1-Spade as a justifier of his bid.
Tomorrow's Problem
(Diagram cards)
(Dealer East Neither side vulnerable)
What is the best way for South to seek 4-Spade on this deal after West leads the club K?
THIMBLE THEATRE
BLONDIE
(Registered U. S. Patent Office)
Starring Popeye
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What keywords are associated?
Bridge
Opening Bid
Second Hand
Contract
Partscore
Vulnerable
What entities or persons were involved?
By Shepard Barclay
Literary Details
Title
On The Border Line
Author
By Shepard Barclay
Subject
Border Line Between Strong And Weak Hands For Opening Bid
Key Lines
What Do You Consider The Border Line Between A Hand Barely Strong Enough For An Opening Bid And One Barely Too Weak?
Treat It As Too Weak To Bid In Dealer's Position, But Strong Enough If You Are In The Second Hand Spot.
South Made His Contract Without Any Fancy Plays.