This freak deal is from the 2009 Las Vegas Regional.
Vul: None Dir: East | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
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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(LC) | East | South(DB) |
---|---|---|---|
1![]() | 2![]() | ||
2NT | Pass | 3![]() | 4![]() |
Dbl | 4NT** | Pass | 5![]() |
Dbl | Rdbl | 5![]() | 6![]() |
Dbl | All Pass |
*Alerted -- but we never asked
** -- What is your minor?
David did well to use Conventional bid to show a 2-suited hand 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.