Le Touquet (2)

One of the noticeable things about playing in the Le Touquet congress in France was the almost complete absence of convention cards and perhaps I can almost hear approving murmurs many will have on reading that. However, it has less to do with any policy, such as a restriction on methods, and more about how bridge developed in France and its place in society. Everyone seems to learn the same system and expects to play with many partners.

Those who espouse simple methods claim losing the intellectual clutter of conventions leaves more energy for the play. And different emphasis is tangible in France: the auction is over with as soon as possible and the tempo is different in the play. More consideration is given to alternative lines of play – though not always taken or successful of course. For example, faced with what looks like a simple finesse of low cards opposite ace-queen and length, declarer will routinely give thought to ace and low if they thought the king could be short but over the queen.

We were not the only English team at the event and ironically against them I had one of those agonising card-placing decisions:

  • Q75
  • KJ6
  • K3
  • KQ1062
N
W
E
S
  • J84
  • AQ109
  • 763
  • 753

South opened a very un-French ten to twelve one no-trump. I hesitated about doubling and then found myself bidding a natural two clubs; North tried two diamonds and East raised to three clubs, the final contract. North led the diamond queen to South's ace and he switched to a low spade; that brought the ace and another back to South's king. I unblocked the queen and won the third round in dummy. A low club was won smartly by South's ace, North contributing the nine. Now the thirteenth spade appeared. I had to take the rest of the tricks:

  • ---
  • KJ6
  • K
  • KQ106
N
W
E
S
  • ---
  • AQ109
  • 76
  • 75

Ruff low? Lose to North's original nine-eight or knave-nine of clubs. Ruff ten? Lose to knave-nine. Ruff high then finesse? Lose to knave-nine or singleton nine. Ruff high and high honour? Lose to nine-eight, nine-four and nine singleton. Apart from all those combinations you cannot do anything about of course.

Well, it seemed to me that the nine was too valuable a card to part with when an over-ruff was imminent so I decided to believe it. Even nine from nine-eight might discourage partner from playing into the ruff and discard, so I thought North was being scrupulously honest. So it was up with the club queen and the king next and, though there may have been little in the reasoning, I was relieved to see the knave drop. We finished one place above our compatriots so at least secured bragging rights.

Ipswich & Kesgrave Swiss Pairs
Kesgrave Community Centre, Sunday 9th September, 2:00pm. £12.00 per pair. Late entries accepted but please call the organiser, David Haig-Thomas, 01255 861516

Felixstowe Congress
The Pier Leisure Centre, Felixstowe, 6th & 7th October; pairs 1:00pm Saturday, teams 11:00am Sunday, each competition £9.00 per person. Cheques payable to SCBA to: Claude Stokes, Meadowside, 81 Walton Road, Kirby-le-Soken, Essex CO13 0DE. 01255 674253

Published Saturday 8.Sep.2007