When one of our state's very long time members and volunteers exits this earth, it impacts many in our bridge world. Larry Huiras kindly shares a wonderful memory that he and his wife Patti experienced with Gus.
Thank you, Larry! And - a few more shots of Gus and his grandson caddies below!
What I Learned From Gus
My charming wife Patti and I had just returned to tournament play after a 13 year hiatus and found ourselves at the Gopher Regional. In a pairs game we sit down East-West against Gus Doty and his often partner, Lou Ahlberg. After chatting a bit to catch up, sitting East I pick up:
♠ K7, ♥ QT97, ♦ K43, ♣ QJ32.
Lou sitting South opens the auction with a Pass. Partner bids 1♦ and Gus overcalls 1♠. I Double, South Passes, Partner bids 2♣ and Gus bids 2♠ - which I have since called the "Gus Doty Bid!"
The auction continues:
Pass - Pass - 3♣ - 3♠ -
4♣ - Pass - Pass - 4♠-
Dbl - Pass - Pass - Pass.
I lead a heart (a diamond would have been better). There was nothing to the play. Gus made 4♠ doubled for 790 and a top board with the rest of the field in 4♠ making 4.
Here is the full deal:
Lou Patti Gus Larry
P 1♦ 1♠ Dbl
P 2♣ 2♠ P
P 3♣ 3♠ 4♣
P P 4♠ Dbl
P P P
I asked Gus why he didn't bid 4 ♠ directly over 2 clubs. Gus said he was hoping to get doubled in 4♠! Hence, I call it the "Gus Doty Bid".
Glad I could oblige, Gus!
Larry Huiras
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