A Tribute to Joe Farley

Although my late, great partner Joe has been mentioned previously in this column, he is deserving of further mention.  This story was provided by Mark Ralph, a fine player from San Francisco and the son of the west player on this deal:

In third seat, Joe opened 1♥ on his singleton.  Don Ralph, who had a lot of imagination and who had played against Joe on a number of occasions, overcalled 3♣ on his singleton!

North jumped to 4♥.  Realizing that he had been out-psyched by the old man on his left, Joe knew that his proverbial goose was cooked; but he could do little other than to pass.

After Don doubled that contract for a 1400-point set, Joe congratulated his opponent for a "good bid."

Had the vulnerability been different, the east player might have 'sacrificed' in 5♣, in which case the goose would have been warming in another pot!