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Every now and then Tim Prior and I fill in some gaps in a Merseyside League team. We turned up last night; "so what's the strategy", we wondered, "score as many IMPs as you can?". Nope — it turns out that this is the knockout bit of the league. No, I didn't understand it either. (At least I know now it is "score more IMPs than the opponents do.")
A solid card in the first half of the match saw us 16 IMPs up (team mates having deposited some 2000 points on the floor). Then arrives this seemingly dull hand. The names of the opponents have been witheld to a) Protect the guilty/lunatics b) Because I have no clue who they were.
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None Vuln
Dealer S |
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The auction is short and to the point:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| MF | TP | ||
1 | |||
| Pass1 | 2 2 | Pass | 3NT3 |
| AP |
| Notes | |
|---|---|
| (1) | A two-suited effort would have been weak or strong. I am neither, and my values are all wrong. Partner will doubtless claim I mis-sorted my hand for failing to enter the auction against current opponents. |
| (2) | "I had to bid something". 2 perhaps? Even 1NT seems like an improvement on the selection. |
| (3) | 17-19 balanced. Playing these methods 2 seems less than wise. |
I lead the 
10 to the A — 7 — 5. 10 — 2 — 3 — K. I continued with the 4, which declarer pitched a heart (?) on; Tim was good enough to produce the King, and continued with the 3, ostensibly blocking the suit, but more importantly retaining entry to his hand. Declarer won the Q and, somewhat bewilderingly, pitched a second heart from the table. Declarer then crossed to dummy
with a spade. Club to the Jack and King. Diamond to the Jack, and Tim spat a heart through. "Oh dear," said declarer, "both black Kings and the Ace of hearts wrong." I couldn't resist responding "it's about to get a lot worse" as I placed my hand on the table.
10 to the A — 7 — 5. 10 — 2 — 3 — K. I continued with the 4, which declarer pitched a heart (?) on; Tim was good enough to produce the King, and continued with the 3, ostensibly blocking the suit, but more importantly retaining entry to his hand. Declarer won the Q and, somewhat bewilderingly, pitched a second heart from the table. Declarer then crossed to dummy
with a spade. Club to the Jack and King. Diamond to the Jack, and Tim spat a heart through. "Oh dear," said declarer, "both black Kings and the Ace of hearts wrong." I couldn't resist responding "it's about to get a lot worse" as I placed my hand on the table.
"Just the ten?" said Dr Prior.
Team mates reached the more sensible spot of 4 after West had shown the red suits. Declarer got to the point of knowing the shape of the hand, and having to play the club suit for no losers. We will permit him to claim he took a mis-view and tried to pin a stiff Nine
offside. Doubtless he was slightly surpised that we ended up +250 net on the board.
after West had shown the red suits. Declarer got to the point of knowing the shape of the hand, and having to play the club suit for no losers. We will permit him to claim he took a mis-view and tried to pin a stiff Nine
offside. Doubtless he was slightly surpised that we ended up +250 net on the board.
Poor bridge worthy? Surely must be.