October 1942, BY WILLIAM E. McKENNEY America’s Card Authority Written for NEA Service
Helen Sobel’s book entitled “All the Tricks!” is different from any bridge book I have seen in a long time.
Helen Sobel has long been rated the outstanding woman bridge player of the world. You will even find some experts rating her as one of the 10 outstanding players of all time among men and women. Her book is light enough to be fascinating, humorous enough to keep you smiling, and on top of that, it has some mighty fine bridge logic.
I liked today’s hand, taken from the chapter entitled “Two Little Old Ladies.” I liked it because an author is not always willing to tell a story on himself, and that is what Miss Sobel does here.
|
 A
 J 8 7 3
 A Q 10 5 4
 J 9 5 |
|
| L.O.L.
K Q 10 9
10 4 2
A K 8 7 6 2 |
|
L.O.L.
8 6 4 3
9 6
9 8 7 6 3
Q 10 |
|
J 7 5 2
A K Q 5
K J 2
4 3 |
|
| North |
East |
South |
West |
| 1 |
Pass |
1 |
2 |
| 2 |
Pass |
4 |
The End |
Miss Sobel (North) was playing against two little old ladies of the type one often meets in tournaments, and at card parties.
When the bidding was completed, the little old lady in the East position promptly led the queen of clubs out ot turn.
The tournament director was called, and he told Miss Sobel she could call for a lead from the correct leader.
East picked up the queen of clubs, and Miss Sobel smilingly asked West to lead a diamond—and then it happened.
The little old lady said she had no diamonds. Now the director told her she was free to lead whatever she wanted, and she led a small club.
When Miss Sobel played the nine from dummy. East won the trick with the ten-spot, led back a diamond and West ruffed.
The little old lady came back with a club, East won it with the queen and led back another diamond . . . and Miss Sobel’s perfectly sound contract of four hearts was defeated.
