Suffolk Pivot Teams

Pivot or Switch Teams once had more of a place in the calendar. The name describes the format where each team-member plays which each other in turn for a third of the event's duration. Whether in a head-to-head match, such as the Hubert Phillips Bowl, the national competition along these lines (which additionally stipulates a mixed team) or a multiple event, such as the Suffolk Pivot, there is always a lively debate as to the timing of more or less experienced partnerships.

There is more to it than that of course; of far greater importance is the individual players' ability to cope with each other and the changing agreements (everyone, naturally, is loathe to part with some pet methods and everyone, naturally, is keen to accommodate their partners). What effect then on the play of the cards? It is said with some truth, that complicated bidding methods sap the energy of players and there was ample evidence that the extra strain of switching partnerships took its toll. Consider this position from South's perspective, North-South vulnerable:

Dummy

  • AJ94
  • ---
  • Q82
  • A106542
N
W
E
S

You

  • 653
  • K86
  • K1054
  • QJ8
West
North
East
South
 
Partner
 
You
1
2
3NT
End

Your partner makes a vulnerable weak jump overcall and East keeps the auction commendably simple for her side. With something similar in mind (whether or not entirely wisely), you lead the heart king, won by the declarer's ace, partner encouraging. East advances the club nine – do you cover?

A glance at the complete deal delivers the answer:

NS Vul.
Dealer West
  • K102
  • J1097542
  • 97
  • K
  • AJ94
  • ---
  • Q82
  • A106542
N
W
E
S
  • Q87
  • AQ3
  • AJ63
  • 973
  • 653
  • K86
  • K1054
  • QJ8

When South rose with an honour there was no longer any defence. Is it marked to play low? Yes: declarer surely has two heart tricks and the diamond ace (and/or the spade king) if they steal another club trick it will be their tenth (or eleventh). That would be important at pairs but you can relax as today you have to defeat the contract and that will only happen if partner can help out in clubs.

However, all was not lost for North-South as their declarer managed to induce the same misdefence in the other room. (Yes, East can make 3NT by playing on spades but that is rather against the odds.)

Suffolk Pivot Teams 2008
1.Chris Chambers, Roger Marriott, Peter & Debby Sutcliffe+69
2.Basia Malinowska, Rick Hanley, Mike Malin, Eric Newman+64
3.Jyl Marsh, Claude Stokes, Peter Carlisle, Birte Ditchburn+33

Published Saturday 26.Apr.2008