Diary of a Bridge Pro #9

Louisville, March 18th 
Recently I referred here to my desire as a bridge player to “Tap my inner Pepsi”. This is a reference to the phrase which gained some currency around the 1980’s, to “Tap (into) your inner child.” I imagine that this advice suggests that we should each tap into that inner being that continues to view the world with fundamental wonder and joy. 
In the same sense, I hoped to play cards like that Eastern European wizard, Jacek Pszcola. Even in a nation which produces heaps of gifted and creative card players, Pepsi is a legend. His success in Polish, US, European, and international bridge competition attests to that skill. So around 2020, I figured the best way for me to make more tricks was to “Tap my Inner Pepsi”. 
It’s not easy to describe just how Pepsi outperforms other declarers - but If you defend against him, you will frequently find yourself on play with two cards remaining and you are forced to lead from a holding like jack-eight into his ace-ten. 
What I was really telling myself with that advice was, “Don’t be afraid to risk one or more tricks, even the contract, if you think the odds justify the play.” 
In other words: Don’t let the good be the enemy of the great. 
***** 
A few days ago, here in Louisville, in the large ballroom where the nationals events are being held, I saw Jacek sitting quietly at his table. I guess it was either the break round or just before the start of the second session, he was sitting alone at his table in what may have been Section F. 
Pepsi is a highly literate guy, an extremely avid reader, with a library in Poland of more than 10,000 books. He paused from reading a hard-cover copy of "Dune" and we chatted about his family. 
"Is your son much of a reader?" I asked. Pepsi's son is probably thirtyish, I inferred from our conversation. 
"Not very much," he replied, "Maybe five hundred books." 
"Five hundred books? Not much of a reader?" I echoed - "That's four-hundred and ninety-five more than most Americans have read!"
***** 
If you want to hire Pepsi as a bridge pro, his availability is very limited, but: He’s an excellent choice! 
***** 
I kibitzed a four spade contract yesterday, wrote it up for the Daily Bulletin earlier this morning. Click here and consider board 7. 
https://live.acbl.org/handrecords/NABC241/03171502 

You reach a Four Spade contract with this pair of hands: AQJxx, AT, Qxxx, Kx opposite xxx, QJxxx, AT8, AJ - 
There are a variety of ways to bid the hand - if you are careless you might find yourself skating off to the five level but as long as neither partner gets too rambunctious you should be able to curb your collective enthusiasm before you reach the five level. 
The play’s the thing - on a club lead, it seems beyond obvious to me that you should put in dummy’s jack (your club holding is Ace-jack tight opposite king - doubleton). 
Since there are multiple finesses you want to take from dummy - three finesses in the major suits alone, plus a possible ruffing finesse in hearts as well - why would you ever put up the ace of clubs at Trick One. 
Incidentally, if you played the jack of clubs from dummy at Trick One, then what would you play at Trick Two? Spade finesse, heart finesse? Hint: Cashing the ace of clubs at Trick Two might look smart but it isn’t. 
***** 
Note to Self: You kibitzed several deals in the Leventritt Pairs, you knew Peter Leventritt, tell some Leventritt stories in a future blog. 
Here's more on the hand I kibitzed from the event named for Peter: 
You recall, Opener held: AQJxx, AT, Qxxx, Kx - Responder held xxx, QJxxx, ATx, AJ - Here are some possible auctions: 
1C (Precision) - then - 1H, or 1NT showing a positive response with hearts - then possibly 2S 3S - 4S - with 28 high and no shortness in either hand, I consider it pretty sad if you play anywhere besides 4S.
Undoubtedly a few pairs get into trouble after starting with a Standard 2/1 Sequence: 
1S - 2H: Be careful! If Opener bids 3D, and responder returns to 3S, then you may get overboard. Also, it's possible to get overboard after 1S - 2H - 2S - 3S, too. 
"Go Low" Sequence: 
Responder could treat his 12 count as a three card-limit raise: 
1S - 1NT - 2D - 3S - 4S. 
***** 
All roads lead to four spades - the play's the thing - They lead a club - gotta play the jack from dummy, hope it holds - why would you ever go up with the ace? It's like you've got a hundred finesses to take from dummy (one or two in every suit besides clubs) and one to take from your hand (a diamond to the ten). 
Declarer at my table ("Don't call me Schmendrik!) rose ace of clubs at Trick One.
​***** 
Remember that soggy old punchline, “Don't call me Shirley!”? 

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For more highlights from Airplane, some politically incorrect, many hilarious: ​