Dealer:N Vul: N/S
NORTH
♠ AJ7
♥ 2
♦ 92
♣ AQJ8432
WEST EAST
♠ 10986 ♠ Q432
♥ J9 ♥ 73
♦ J1084 ♦ AKQ753
♣ 1095 ♣ 7
SOUTH
♠ K5
♥ AKQ108654
♦ 6
♣ K6
Bridge players like well-fitting suits – and it has nothing to do with sartorial elegance. North/South’s two long suits fit together perfectly. Between them they have nine hearts and eight clubs. Communication between the two hands is solid. The only possible trick that East/West can win is a diamond.
While the bidding is not known, one can assume that North opened with 1C. At some tables East overcalled 1D, leaving South with an important decision to make. At three tables, it appears that South jumped straight to 4H, which became the contract. Hilary Price and Jenny Smith were the only pair to bid 6H. Going slowly was much more profitable. Trusting that partner would follow the rule that the bid of a new suit required an answer, South bid hearts at the lowest possible level. This gave more space for the exchange of information. After North rebid clubs to show at least a five-card suit, South could use an Ace-asking bid. Once it was established that North/South held all four Aces, South could count twelve tricks, as long as neither East nor West held four hearts. Against 6NT West made the strange lead of the ten of spades. Did East not bid diamonds? Declarer won in hand with the King, drew trumps in two rounds and then ran the clubs, starting with the King, and wrapped up thirteen tricks with one or two to spare.
Results, Monday, 13/10.25 (4 & 1/2-table Howell): J. Smith H. Price (63.2) 1; W. Milne J. Sipple (57.6) 2; T, Hinde D. Moran (54.2) 3; R. Hart N. McGinness (52.1) 4, Friday, 17/10/25 (4-table Howell): T. Hinde L. Don (57.7) 1; H. Price N. McGinness (57.2) 2 eq; N. Collins M. Simpson (57.2) 2eq; J. Smith R. Hart (54.2) 4.
