LUCK & MYSTERIES
Marian Day
Oxfordshire vs. Gloucestershire match on 2nd July 2000
I received the report on Saturday 15th July and, as I had intended to reply to the previous report and didn't due to lack of time, I am making more effort this time to explain a couple of boards on which John did not have the full story.
Board 4:
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ª A J 6 3© A J 8 4 ¨ 10 § K J 8 7 |
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David ª 9 5 2© K Q 10 2 ¨ J 7 4 3 § Q 4 |
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Marian ª K Q© 7 ¨ A K Q 9 8 6 5 § A 9 5 |
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ª 10 8 7 4© 9 6 5 3 ¨ 2 § 10 6 3 2 |
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The bidding at our table:
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W |
N |
E |
S |
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Pass |
1© |
Double |
Pass |
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1NT |
Pass |
3NT |
All pass |
This board is always making 3NT played by David's hand, in fact he made +1. Perhaps we were 'lucky' to have the H4 opening lead, but after that there was no question of being 'allowed' to make this contract. The loss of 800 by Alex and Paul against a vulnerable game is unfortunate but only costs about 5 imps.
Board 32:
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Marian ª A Q J 5 2© K 8 3 ¨ 3 § A 9 6 2 |
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ª K x x x x© x x ¨ x x x § Q J 10 |
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ª x© x x x x ¨ A J x § K 8 5 4 3 |
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David ª 9 3© A Q 6 3 ¨ K Q 10 8 4 2 § 7 |
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(I haven't got the curtain cards for the whole hand.) Bidding:
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W |
N |
E |
S |
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Pass |
1ª |
Pass |
2¨ |
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Pass |
2NT* |
Pass |
3© |
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Pass |
3NT |
All pass |
* 14-15 with 5 spades, Precision style.
I thought about 4H but decided the C9 looked a good card. After C4 led to the 7 and 10, I thought for some time and decided not to hold up. I played diamond and East went up with the Ace and played another club only to realise that the clubs were blocked. It would have been better to hold up one round and, if West plays the CQ at trick two, then again you know the suit is blocked or splitting 4-4. The C9 was after all a good card to hold. With the spade finesse working the contract made. David thought I should have made an overtrick.