Bridge with Larry Cohen

Vul: None Dir: East	5 10 6 5 4 2 A K 10 8 7 6 4
K 6 4 2 J 3 Q 2 A Q J 5 3		3 A K Q 9 8 7 4 3 K 10 9 2
	A Q J 10 9 8 7   J 9 8 7 6 5

An interesting term in bridge is "par." It's not like par in golf. Here is the definition of PAR in bridge:

"The result on a deal on which both sides do as well as possible."

This assumes we can see all 52 cards.

So, on this deal, N-S can make 7. They can draw trump and then take a ruffing finesse against West's K to take all 13 tricks.

But, E-W are also entitled to do their best. We have to see what happens if they sacrifice in 7. It seems the defense can take only 2 diamonds and the A (North's hearts can be picked up). The score for 7 (doubled, of course) down 3 is 500. So, "PAR" on this deal is 500 points for N-S.

Here was the crazy auction that enabled our side to beat the par score when we played this deal in a knockout event:

West North East South    LC   DB      1 2 2N*  Pass  3  4 Double 4NT**  Pass  5 Double  Redouble  5 6 Double Pass Pass Pass  *Alerted -- but we never asked ** -- What is your minor?

David did well to use Michaels with the South cards. When I saw him make all of those bids voluntarily, I suspected we were cold for at least    6, maybe 7. I'm not much of a poker player, but we did end up buying the hand (see auction to left) in 6 doubled. I didn't want the opponents to sacrifice (and thus, achieve "par.") With trumps 2-2 and the ruffing spade finesse working, David took all 13 tricks for a score of 1190. At the other table, South overcalled 1 directly with 4 and got doubled. He took 12 tricks for a score of 790, but our team won 9 IMPs.