Dealer: S Vul: Both
NORTH
♠ 84
♥ 95
♦ 842
♣ AKQ963
WEST
♠ 5
♥ AKQ62
♦ AQ1093
♣ 82
EAST
♠ 7
♥ J8743
♦ J75
♣ J1074
SOUTH
♠ AKQJ109632
♥ 10
♦ K6
♣ 5
Looking at all four hands, would you predict that four out of six South players would win twelve tricks in spades, with two Aces missing? When long suits abound, the bidding is always likely to be a touch on the wild side. On the featured board from last Friday, West routinely opened with 1H, North overcalled 2C, East usually passed and South was left with a choice: 2S or higher. 4S was the most effective bid, as it took away East/West’s bidding space. At four tables this became the contract. At each of these tables West led the Ace of hearts. Following with the Ace of diamonds would have held South to eleven tricks, but in each case West continued with the King of hearts. The Ace of diamonds was held back in case South held the King. Valerie Prentice, Hilary Price, Mavis Simpson and Valerie Rose all found the best line of play. The second heart was trumped, then just one round of spades was played. Declarer could then cash three top clubs and discard the two diamond losers.
Sitting East/West, John Nankervis and Nea McGinness found their heart fit after John, realising the value of his singleton spade supported partner’s heart bid. By the time the bidding had reached 5S, most players would have given up, but West made the effective sacrifice of 6H. North/South could not go any higher, as West would then just have cashed those two Aces. Of the remaining table, it is suffice to say that 6NT was not a success.
Results, Monday, 03/11/25 (5 & 1/2-table Howell): J. Nankervis P. Kelly (64.8) 1; H. Price R. Hart (61.7) 2; N. Collins M. Simpson (61.6) 3; P. Campbell D. Moran (53.2) 4. Friday, 07/11/25 (6-table Mitchell) N/S N. Collins M. Simpson (66.7)1; N. Bonnell V. Prentice (58.7) 2; C. Duggan S. Goddard (51.3) 3. E/W P. Kelly D. Moran (60.0) 1; J. Rose V. Rose (59.0) 2; W. Milne J. Sipple (57.0) 3.
