Dealer: W Vul: Both
NORTH
♠ 96
♥ Q75
♦ QJ96
♣ KQJ8
WEST EAST
♠ QJ10543 ♠ K72
♥ AK98 ♥ 43
♦ A4 ♦ 1083
♣ A ♣ 109753
SOUTH
♠ A8
♥ J1062
♦ K752
♣ 642
In bridge there are Laws that lay down protocols that must be followed and “rules” that are the experts’ opinions on the best way to play in various situations. One of the first “rules” that beginners are taught is that whoever is declarer (the winner of the auction) must take out the defenders’ trumps as early as possible. Then they are warned that occasionally this may not be the best line of play. Board 4 from last Monday is the exception that “proves” the rule.
North’s injudicious double of West’s opening bid of 1S allowed the auction to continue. It ended with John Nankervis and partner Pat Kelly reaching 4S. This bid contracted to win ten tricks and, if successful, would earn at least 620 matchpoints. John (declarer) went one better with eleven tricks for 650. The winning line is to see a way to dispose of two losing hearts before touching trumps. The Ace and King are played, then a third heart is trumped in dummy (East). Declarer then returns to hand through the Ace of diamonds and the fourth heart is continued. This time North will play a trump but declarer can afford, if necessary, to overtrump with the King of spades. Declarer uses dummy’s remaining spade to return to hand and only then does declarer play a trump from hand. North/South can now only win the Ace of spades and a diamond. At all other tables the bidding ended at just 1S by West.
Results: Monday, 07/10/24 (4 & 1/2-table Howell): P. Kelly J. Nankervis (68.1) 1; P. Campbell D. Moran (62.5) 2; J. Smith J. Mobbs (51.4) 3. Friday, (2 & 1/2-table Howell): N. Collins N. Bonnell (60.4) 1; L. James S. Head (54.2) 2.
