Dubious Logic

Diamonds on the Opal Coast

Just in case you thought you'd escaped the bridge hands, here they are. As I mention in my companion piece, it was rather odd not to have a hand-records so I've had to recreate these from memory.

On the second day there were five deals that featured 5♦ contracts. I'd like to share all of these with you but the editor claims he hasn't the space so I've selected just two. Let's take the first as a problem, you're East, it's board one:

• J975
• AQ1043
• 65
• 83

[1] Fit jump: clubs and diamonds, values to raise constructively to 3♦

What's your lead? Go on, choose a card and we'll come back.

In any competition there's the luck of the draw. An all-play-all? Yes, that too: a shrewd judge of form studies the run-in. It is much better to play the teams not in contention later when they are playing through momentum than earlier when they are still concentrating. So, without any real chance of catching the leading trio, in the last match we were looking for a decent win to ensure fourth prize, fortunate to draw almost the back marker.

[1] 14-16
[2] Single-suited hand; at least, that's what it was from an un-passed hand.

Our opponents appeared to be a mother and son partnership and there was a evident hitch as West passed Debby's no-trump. East's balancing action wasn't a surprise and they seemed to be on firm ground, their defence to a no-trump having made an earlier appearance. However, perhaps West expected a bit more from East, you can see his point. Five diamonds was down two for +300 when we led trumps. At the other table, Peter Gemmell bid himself to the same contract, undoubled, over a club opening (not enough for a 15-17 no-trump of course) and was down just one when the opponents played a spade through and never got around to trumps. We eventually won the match 13-3 – in Patton scoring, big wins are hard work.

Back to the first deal. Declarer would surely have tried no-trumps with soft controls in the majors - such as a pair of kings - so if you think they have the minors sewn up, you'd better lead a top heart. The play was over very quickly when our opponent selected a spade:

In five diamonds I quickly had twelve tricks. If you lead the heart ace partner has to play the king - difficult? Yes, but not impossible and I think you might just get it right. At the other table the auction was simple: 1NT – 3NT, East led a low heart and that was that. Note that although it qualifies on point count, that North hand is too good for a 14-16 no-trump. I was particularly pleased with our actions here: I had persuaded Debby to play fit jumps and this was our first ever – I think I might just have a convert.

Batwoman? Oh yes; it was late August and still quite light as we waited for the prize giving. Somehow a bat got into the playing hall. Several of us, though most were completely oblivious, tried to gather it or let the poor creature out. Although it occasionally settled, an approach would frighten and set it off again. Our last-round opponent took her chance, dropped her handkerchief on it, bundled it and released it outside. I might not agree with her bidding but her bat-handling was exemplary.