LEARNING CENTER

Playing with me in a National Pairs event, David Berkowitz held:A 6 2
8 6 5
6
10 9 8 7 4 2

Not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, he saw me open the bidding 2.  We don't play a crazy style, so he could count on me having six trumps for my bid (even at this favorable vulnerability).  When his RHO doubled, he did what I would urge everyone to do. He "Followed the LAW." He LAWfully raised to 3. The next player doubled (responsive/card-showing).  What next?

Everyone passed! This was the auction:

West North East South    (David)    (Larry)        2  Dbl  3  Dbl (All Pass)

How can this be?  Isn't West supposed to take out East's card-showing double?  Anyway, we should be okay. With 9 trumps and this favorable vulnerability, the LAW of Total Tricks should protect us.  Let's now look at my hand.

A 6 2 8 6 5 6 10 9 8 7 4 2
9 5 J 10 9 7 4 2 A 9 4 2 6

This doesn't look too bad. The opponents won't have a slam, but as long as the penalty is less than -500 (better than the value of their vulnerable game), we are in great shape.  We have 2 aces for sure, and  even if hearts are 3-1 and they take the top hearts, we have 3 sure heart tricks.  That is 5 tricks, and a diamond ruff(s) in dummy gets us to  at least 6 tricks and -500 for a good board.

The LAW has worked again.

Not so fast.

This was the full deal:

Vul: E-W Dlr:South A 6 2 8 6 5 6 10 9 8 7 4 2   K Q J 3 A K Q Q 5 4 3 A J   10 8 74 3 K J 10 7 K Q 5 3   9 5 J 10 9 7 4 2 A 9 4 2 6

Against 3 doubled, West had no sense of humor. He was able to lead out the top 3 trumps (his plan when he left in the double). How did I do?  I took my 3 long trumps and 2 aces. Down 4, -800. A bottom. David was looking at me and staring. Clearly this was my fault. He had Followed the LAW (some call it "my" LAW, but it is really Jene-Rene Vernes' LAW) and we had paid dearly. He told me, "You said it is safe to bid 3 with this hand."  Actually, he was kidding, but he never lets me forget about this deal. Okay. My fault. But, the next 99 times out of 100 this bid works, I hope I get the credit.

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