Bridge | 27 August 2022

Do we need complicated bidding systems to reach the best contracts? The Portland Club (men only) operates a no conventions at all policy, which most of its members don’t stick to if they are playing outside tournaments. Some however treat ‘natural’ bidding with a fervour bordering on the messianic. One such was the ghastly Demetri Marchessini. The first time I played Biarritz, some 20 years ago, he had hired a super professional team; he partnered French world champion Paul Chemla and their teammates were Tony Forrester and Tom Townsend. Natural methods only obvs. On the second day Tony and Tom bid and made 4♠ after a 1NT opening. DM questioned how they got to the winning game and was told they had used Stayman. The whole team was fired on the spot!

Here is a hand, played by Chemla, from the French double Olympiad winning team in the 1980s:

South jumped in Spades on his second go to announce a very good suit, then jumped again to try and show it was a solid 7-bagger. North got the message and raised because of his richness in controls, and the excellent slam was reached.

The play didn’t take long. West led a Heart, ducked to East’s King, who returned the ♣K. Chemla won the Ace and ruffed a Club before testing trumps – getting the bad news – but was still in good shape.

A Heart to the Jack, Club ruff, Diamond to the Ace, Club ruff and Diamond to the King. The good Clubs were played from dummy and East could pack up and go home.