Dubious Logic

Suffolk Championship Pairs

There are many critics of match-pointed pairs – I may even be one myself – but there is no escaping the fact that it is a game that makes great demands on concentration and stamina. Perhaps more than any special technique, those who play it successfully at any level must learn to manage their morale. It was noticeable that both the top two pairs in this year's Suffolk Championship Pairs were in those places at the half-way stage. The eventual winners were defending a storming first set and there is a terrible temptation to alternately think the event one "if nothing goes wrong" and then when it does, to over compensate. Full credit then to Eric Newman and Mike Sherer for holding their nerve.

With two boards per round the norm, it is sensible is that more obscure partnership agreements are barred. You can generally play those only when there is more time for opponents to master their ramifications. However, it's easy to be caught out against unfamiliar treatments (deal rotated), both vul:

I didn't have to have four spades for my re-opening double and partner put his faith in the known fit. North led a small diamond and South tried to cash the ace and king. I ruffed and advanced the spade king, won by North's ace and she switched to a club, knave, king ace. I played three more rounds of the suit and ruffed dummy's last diamond (queen from South). I cashed the spade queen and South played the knave. I had six tricks and the ace of trumps to come. Sure that the trump honours were over me, I played another spade ruffed by South who led a trump. I wasn't sure of the position but here we were, West needing two tricks:

Somewhat belatedly I asked about the one club opener. During the auction it had been described as "denying a four card major" – much along the lines of several five card major systems. On winning the ace of trumps I asked a bit more: "what about a diamond opener?" It transpired that showed exactly 4-4 in the majors. Consequently all diamond hands had to open one club – even with ace-king-queen to five as here. Unfortunately I smoked out this important piece of information only after the tenth trick had gone heart six-eight-nine-ace. There was no way back now.

Would I have found the right play of ducking the nine of hearts if I'd formed a better picture earlier? Well, I have to admit, I only realised I could make the contract a day after the event so you have to wonder. But, don't let that stop you asking questions of the opponents and getting answers that satisfy you.

Published Saturday 28.Apr.2007