Four twos and a four

Some people think serious bridge cannot be fun and few events are as serious – or as tough – as the Schapiro Spring Fours. This knock-out competition is continuing as I write early in the week but, I am sad to say, without my team. We had a decent run losing the second of our 'lives' in round five though we had some fun on the way; two light-hearted interludes from our campaign:

  • 84
  • KQ52
  • J53
  • 9865
  • K1063
  • 7
  • 1086
  • AJ742
N
W
E
S
  • J9
  • J1096
  • AKQ72
  • K10
  • AQ752
  • A843
  • 94
  • Q3

East-West declared a no-trump partial at both tables. At ours partner had bid spades so I led the eight to partner's ace and he continued the suit to his disappointment. Declarer naturally cashed diamonds; on the fourth, dummy's two, South let go the two of spades, West the two of clubs and I completed the trick with the two of hearts. Well it amused us though the board was flat. This 'small' triumph however did bring us a swing:

Game All
Dealer West
  • A987
  • Q1062
  • J103
  • K2
  • 62
  • KJ8754
  • 8
  • Q1075
N
W
E
S
  • Q104
  • ---
  • AK7642
  • 9863
  • KJ53
  • A93
  • Q95
  • AJ4

Against us West opened a natural weak two hearts, passed to South who competed with two no-trumps. Holding so many hearts I wasn't tempted to explore for a spade fit and settled for the no-trump game which made ten tricks (two more than possible in spades) for +630.

At the other table West opened with an artificial 'Multi' two diamonds. East, Peter Gemmell, responded two hearts – partner might have had a good hand and for the time being he didn't want to be any higher – and became declarer when no-one had any more to say. For his opening shot South selected the heart three, four from dummy and, deigning to waste a high-card to declarer's presumed ace, North contributed the two - first round of trumps won with the four! Peter gathered six more tricks for a satisfying down one, -100, +11 IMPs to the team and a lifetime achievement.

Published Saturday 9.May.2009