Bobby WolffWikipedia: Robert S. (Bobby) Wolff(born October 14, 1932, San Antonio, Texas) is an American bridge player, writer, and administrator. He is the only person to win world championships in five different categories.
Wolff was an original member of the Dallas Aces team, which was formed in 1968 to compete against the Italian Blue Team which was dominant at the time. The Aces were successful and won their first world championship in 1970. Wolff has won 11 world championships, over 30 North American championships, and was the president of World Bridge Federation (WBF) 1992–1994, and served as president of American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) 1987. He is the author of a tell-all on bridge chronicling 60 years on the scene, entitled The Lone Wolff, published by Master Point Press. His column, The Aces on Bridge has been appearing daily for over 32 years, is syndicated by United Feature Syndicate in more than 130 newspapers worldwide and is available online two weeks in arrears.
IMPs Dealer South. Both Vul
A J 7
9 7 5
A 6 4
A 7 5 4
K Q 8
A K 6 4 3
J 7 3 2
6
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
2NT
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Pass
“If there are obstacles, the shortest line between two points may be the crooked line” _ Bertolt Brecht.
The shortest way to plan for games and slams is to count possible losers. Unfortunately, sometimes there are obstacles. Counting winners is always more accurate than counting losers.
If one counts losers in today’s North and South hands, it appears that there will be only three: a trump and two diamonds. What happens if South plays accordingly after West leads the J?
South wins dummy’s A, cashes two high trumps and them plays the ace and another diamond. West win and cashes the high trump and the two high diamonds for one down. So much for counting losers.
Counting winners is another story. Provided trumps are 3-2 ten tricks are assured without the need of a 3-3 diamond split (3 spades, two high trumps, one diamond and the A, plus three club ruffs).
After winning the A, South should ruff a club and play his two high trumps. A low spade is led to dummy´s jack and another club ruffed with another low trump. A second spade is led to dummy’s ace and dummy’s last club is ruffed with South’s last trump. West cab overruff or not, it doesn´t matter. The defense gets one trump and two diamonds, and South gets a confortable ten tricks
The complete deal:
A J 7
9 7 5
A 6 4
A 7 5 4
