Gladly Learn, and Gladly Teach

N/S Vul
MPs
Dealer: East
Lead: A

	petit_g J 10 8 4 2 9 7 6 2 10 6 5 3
a-yummy A 5 10 8 5 A 5 3 A 10 9 6 4		kash K 9 7 6 3 A 4 8 7 2 J 8 2
	Maestro Q K Q J 3 K Q J 9 4 K Q 7

West Pass Pass

North 2

East Pass Pass

South 1 Pass

 

Too often the pupil lets the teacher down, as in today’s hand, where Gee was doubtless disappointed to have to pass his meaty hand when his partner and protégé, Mini-Gee, showed a weak hand and length in his shortest suit. The opponents, on the other hand, East in particular, were delighted to defend 2S and happily passed it out.

Note the importance of not making a Bones Double here, contrary to the assertions of some specs below. First, it is Mini-Gee, not Gee, who will declare, so the double would be, if anything, a mini-Bones. Second, this is matchpoints, and +500 doesn’t figure to be that much better than +200. Third, and most important, a double gives N/S a chance to run to hearts, and although 3H is down 1 on perfect defense (three rounds of spades to start, and then a fourth round when East takes the trump ace, promoting a trump trick for West), it very likely makes at the table.

One hates to result, but if Mini-Gee passes, East likely balances with 1S, making it easy for N/S to find their heart fit. Or possibly East passes out 1D, which makes 2 or 3, for a plus either way.

The specs eagerly solicited Gee’s opinion of his protégé — if that is the word — bidding a weak jump shift with a 5-4-2-2 one count. As Gee informs them, in bidding judgment the pupil is every bit the teacher’s equal:

Spec #1: did G teach mini-gee to bid 2S with that hand?
Spec #2: i think very highly of 2s here
Spec #3: show the value of his pass
Spec #4: we need a bones double now
Spec #5: thought wjs showed 6 cards
Spec #6: c’mon, CRACK IT
Spec #1: for STCP’s maybe
Spec #7: especially at this vul
Spec #8: wjs always 6
Spec #9: whats wrong with pass?
Spec #10 (to Spec #2): beautiful bid, huh?
Spec #2 (unruffled): yes i think so
Spec #8: G do you play wjs with 5?
Spec #9: this might not make
G: usually not, but in a case like that… what choice does he have?
Spec #9: pass?
Spec #2 (placidly): no choice
Spec #12: cudnt he pass 1d?
Spec #13: pass jumps out at me
G: pass not good
Spec #8: dunno i would pass lol
Spec #5: Pass!!!
Spec #1: what choice? is pass out of fashion?
Spec #9: why not?
G: i might have 3 D’s only and even with 4 there are more chances to play with 7 spades
Spec #2 (impervious): think 2s a truly heartwarming call myself
Spec #6: absolutely
Spec #5: Great bid — worth 8%
Spec #4: 2 spades is hopeless
Spec #10: catastrophic insanity
Spec #11: but as G so adroitly pointed out, what else could he do?

Gee’s legendary loyalty to and support of his partner have often been noted in the Chronicles and I would be remiss if I failed to point it out, as here, when it is actually in evidence.