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
7 6 5
K 10 9
A Q
A 7 6 4 2
A 8 3
A Q J 8 7 4
8 3
9 3
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Pass
“It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations” Walter Bagehot
West leads the 4. Plan the play?
It’s tempting to take today’s diamond finesse. It looks so convenient. But before falling from grace, South should consider alternatives.
With three unavoidable losers in the black suits, declarer might take a 50-50 chance on a diamond finesse. Here’s what happens if South yield to temptation.
East wins with theK and shifts quickly to spades. Now, regardless of how South manoeuvers, he must lose two spades, a club and a diamond for one down.
What is the alternative?
The odds of finding the clubs no worse than 4-2 and trumps not 4-0 are about 80%, a much better chance than a straight diamond finesse.
South should win dummy’s A at trick one and lead a low club. East’s10 wins and he cashes his K before switching to spades. South wins his A, leads a club to the ace and ruffs a club high. A low trump is led to dummy’s nine and another club is ruffed high. Trumps are drawn, ending in dummy, and dummy’s fifth club provides the game-going trick.
The full deal:
7 6 5
K 10 9
A Q
A 7 6 4 2
