BRIDGE

Fighting fits

Andrew Robson

`13E bold with a fit,' I frequently find myself saying to my students. If the opponents have a big fit on the same deal — as they often will — then the old adage 'if in doubt, bid one more' will repay dividends. What if both sides have two fits? The num- ber of tricks available to both sides is even higher than might be expected.

Letting the opponents declare such deals highly dangerous. It is not uncommon to find that both sides can make a game con- tract on such 'double fit' deals. And, just occasionally, a deal might crop up in which both sides can make a slam . . .

Dealer East Neither side vulnerable 4 — V J 9 8 3 41 7 5 3

+ A J 9 3

4Q J 9

4

4A K 108 5 3 N

V K Q 7

2

VA 6 4

♦ 9 8 6 2

W E

4—

f5

S

40 8 6 4 2

47

6 2

V 10 5 *A K Q 10 4

4 K 10 7

The Bidding South West North East —

— 14 24 34 44a 44 54 pass 54 6♦ pass pass West led 4Q and declarer trumped in dummy, crossed to *X trumped a second in dummy, drew trumps and discarded his two Vs on dummy's 4s. He lost a 4 at the end but the slam was his. West's choice of opening lead, 40, may have been naive, and VK would have defeated the contract.

But the disaster had really occurred in the bidding. East-West can make 64, though careful play would be required. East trumps *A lead and concedes a 4. South wins and forces declarer with 4K. After trumping, declarer trumps a 4, cross- es too A, trumps a third 4, crosses to VA, trumps his last 4, trumps a •, draws South's trumps and claims.

But do not use the 'Thought it was a massive double fit, partner' excuse too often to justify a rash overbid. I had to trav- el as far as India before finding this exam- ple of a 'double slam swing'.