Dealer: N Vul: N/S
NORTH
♠ AQJ
♥ 6542
♦ Q952
♣ 54
WEST EAST
♠ 105 ♠ K97
♥ AQ873 ♥ KJ
♦ — ♦ A10764
♣ AKQJ107 ♣ 982
SOUTH
♠ 86432
♥ 109
♦ KJ83
♣ 63
Don’t miss a great opportunity. Bridge lessons will commence at 9am on Wednesday 28 January. For information ring Neil on 0408 361 492.
Jenny Smith and Nea McGinness began the new year on a high note, winning Friday’s game.
Board 21 was one of their best. They were the only pair to bid and make game. After Nea had bid both hearts and clubs, it was a logical step for Jenny (E) to raise the bidding to 3NT. E’s two unsupported kings made slam an unattractive proposition. Also, having a void against partner’s best suit is generally not helpful.
S’s lead of the six of spades solved declarer’s spade problem immediately. There was now no way North could prevent declarer from winning with the King. North really had no choice but to rise with the Ace and return a trump. Declarer could then cash both the King and Jack, guarding against a hostile split in trumps. Hand could be entered either through a top club or a diamond trump. North’s remaining two trumps could be drawn, leaving declarer with no more losers.
Jenny and Nea were not the only pair to win twelve tricks, but no other pair bid game. One even preferred to play in clubs instead of hearts.
Results, Friday, 02/01/26 (3-table Howell): J. Smith N. McGinness (63.3) 1; N. Collins N. Bonnell (59.2) 2; S. Head J. Loy (50.0) 3.
