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FUN / COMPETITIONS

BRIDGE WITH THE HACKETT FAMILY

Sunday July 20,2008

EVERY year there is an invitation tournament in Bonn. Teams are offered two rooms and food and for the winners there are cash prizes.

The English team comprised David Gold, Gunnar Hallberg, Andrew McIntosh and Tom Townsend.

Paul was on the journalist’s team, partnering the editor of the International Bridge Press Association’s bulletin, Canadian John Caruthers.

Today’s hand comes from Bonn, where the winners were Germany with the Irish team of Rex Anderson, David Greenwood, Tom Hanlon and Adam Mesbur finished second.

The vulnerability prompted several West players to open 3NT.

This shows a solid minor in many pairs system. In theory it should be AKQJxxx or AKQxxxxx and some play it to deny an outside trick.

A popular variation is for it to show no more than a Queen outside in first and second positions. In third and fourth positions it is to play, holding stoppers outside.

Several aggressive Norths doubled holding both majors and East ran to 4C on his void. If he had passed it would have suggested that he was happy to play there.

South had no reason to suppose that West did not hold the vital JC and thought that if he doubled the contract would only go at the most three down (seven club tricks) for 500 points.

Therefore he opted for 4S expecting to make at least 620. As you can see double would actually have netted 800 points.

West led his singleton heart and declarer demonstrates his dummy playing skills to full advantage. He won and drew trumps ending in dummy.

Now he cashed the KH, throwing a diamond. This was followed by KD and the AD. As you can see he had eliminated all of West’s cards except the club suit.

He then led a club towards the JC. West won and cashed another top club. However he was now endplayed. If he led a low club declarer could run it round to the 10C and if he played the high club it would be ruffed in dummy and the 10C established.

A beautiful elimination play made by England’s Andrew McIntosh.

Jason’s tip: The bidding may often give you clues as to how to play a hand. Always take that into account.

KEY
S Spades
C Clubs
D Diamonds
H Hearts