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The Real Deal by Larry Cohen

enough to bid the suits in the THE PLAY IN 3NT ‘natural’ order. The clubs are longer, East will win the first trick with the so South begins with 2p, planning mA and return the suit—the m4, on mentioning the hearts top of the remaining later in the auction. Don’t raise partner’s doubleton. If South plays North has an easy second suit with only low, West will win the rebid of 2o, enabling three-card support. mQ and lead a third South to bid 2n. Should round of spades, driving North show support for hearts? out declarer’s mK. No. Don’t raise partner’s second Declarer has a spade trick, the nA, suit with only three-card support. p Larry Cohen, a many-time National the A, and six winning diamond North also can’t bid notrump tricks in the dummy. Unfortunately, champion, is a popular writer and without a stopper in spades, the lecturer, living in Boca Raton, declarer has no to the Florida. Information on dummy. How frustrating! THE REAL DEAL Larry’s upcoming activities Declarer has to lead hearts can be found by visiting DEAL: 7 NORTH and clubs from the South hand, and the defenders will www.larryco.com. DLR: N m J 10 9 n now get enough tricks to One of Larry’s favorite VUL: NONE 4 3 2 m teaching methods is to o A K Q J 10 9 defeat 3NT. Winning the K analyze random deals. He p Q at trick two would not have left South in any better feels that any time you deal D out a deck of cards, there are 1o 2o 3o Pass position. By now, astute readers may numerous lessons that can be WEST EAST learned. m m have realized the beauty I Q 8 7 2 A 4 3 was referring to at the n K 6 5 N n Q 8 7 W E beginning of this article. In his “Real Deal” was o 8 7 5 S o 6 4 3 2 p p fact, declarer can get to those dealt by a longtime K 8 6 J 7 5 beautiful diamonds in the Tfriend of mine, Sabine Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass dummy. How? Auken. Not only is she one At trick one, when East of my favorite people in the SOUTH m bridge world, she’s also one of wins the A, South can m K 6 5 counter by dumping the mK the best players, with an n A J 10 9 m incredible record to match. underneath the A! Now o — South is left with the m6–5 I wasn’t there in person p A 10 9 4 3 2 and dummy the mJ–10. The when the cards were dealt, p n defense can take a trick with but this is quite a deal to 2 2 3NT m work with. I could not have the Q, but dummy can be asked for a more interesting reached on the third round of layout. You’ll soon see wherein lies unbid suit. So North would probably spades. Declarer gets a spade trick, the beauty. bid the diamonds for a third time. six diamond tricks, and two aces for an easy nine tricks. North is the dealer and would By now, South is tired of hearing surely open 1o. The hand is too about diamonds, and with everything Without any warning bells, would else under control, will bid 3NT and you have figured out to drop your strong for a preemptive opening bid. m m What should South respond? play there. K under East’s A on the first trick? Next time I see Sabine, I’ll With a weak hand, it would be THE AGAINST 3NT n have to ask her to fess up—and find right to respond 1 , ignoring the For two reasons West would lead the clubs for the time being. However, out if she really dealt this one with m2: “fourth from your longest and her own two hands! with 12 high-card points plus some strongest,” and it is the unbid suit. distributional values, South is strong

BETTER 12 BRIDGE VOL. 14, NO. 5 MAY/JUNE 2010 BB

2010- 2011 Calendar Bridge Cruises Featuring Larry Cohen Bridge Events Best-Selling Author and with Audrey Grant and 26-Time National Champion the Better Bridge Team m n m n Cruises o p o p September 19 - 26, 2010

To participate in the following bridge Alaskan Explorer Cruise programs, bookings must be made through Holland America Oosterdam Alice Travel Cruise Professionals 800-229-2542 • [email protected] 800-265-3838 2010 Sectional at Sea Win Silver Points! December 11 - 21, 2010 This deal comes from Sabine Auken. Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean Jazz Cruise Sabine was born in Germany, but Mariner of the Seas 6-star Crystal Serenity now resides in Denmark. She is a Mexico from Los Angeles Cruise Professionals 800-265-3838 World Master, and has twice won the 7 nights, October 31 - November 7, 2010 . With her regular partner, v v v December 26 2010 - January 2, 2011 , she often competes ACBL Regional at Sea New Year’s Caribbean Cruise in North American events, where she Win Gold Points! Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam has won numerous titles. Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Professionals 800-265-3838 In 2006, Sabine wrote a book about Liberty of the Seas her team’s dramatic comeback to win Round Trip from Miami the 2001 Venice Cup, I LOVE THIS GAME. Festivals 7 nights, December 12-19, 2010 She has many hobbies, including golf, May 16 - 18, 2010 v v v skiing, running, swimming, and tennis. Atwood Lake Resort However, she considers her greatest Holiday Caribbean Cruise Dellroy,Ohio achievement to be her two sons, Aboard Celebrity’s new Equinox Barbara Hale Maximillian and Jens Christian. Round Trip from Ft Lauderdale “My ambition in life is to always be 330-492-9669 11 Nights, Departs December 27, 2010 able to be there for my friends when they need me, and to teach my children To participate in the following bridge September 13 - 15, 2010 respect for other people’s feelings, programs, bookings must be made through Brown County Inn needs, and their mere existence.” Go Away Travel Nashville, Indiana About the game Sabine says, “The 800-721-5927 • 954-349-2800 Sharon Austin 317-845-5887 most fascinating aspect of bridge for Eastern Caribbean Cruise me on the social side is that it brings Aboard the luxury January 9 - 13, 2011 together people of different races, ages, Regent Seven Seas Navigator The Cloister sex, religious, and political beliefs to Round Trip from Ft Lauderdale Sea Island, Georgia compete with and against one another 10 nights, March 28 - April 8, 2011 on equal terms...and nobody seems Kathy Frigon 888-266-4447 v v v to have any problem with it at all. Bridge is the one sport I know where Middle East/Mediterranean Better Bridge women are able to compete with and & Transatlantic Cruises Teacher Program against men on an equal level.” Aboard the luxury Sabine is currently working on an Regent Seven Seas Voyager May 20-21, 2010 exciting new bridge product centered Safaga, Egypt to Barcelona Ambassador Resort around the BRIDGESPINNER, which can 16 nights, November 12-28, 2011 Kingston, Ontario deal out preset hands. You can learn Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale Ed O’Reilly more about this venture by visiting 14 nights, November 28 - Dec. 12, 2011 613-544-4544 www.bridge4people.com. BETTER 13 BRIDGE VOL. 14, NO. 5 MAY/JUNE 2010