Nick is undoubtedly one of Oxfordshire's most talented players. He started playing as a student in Belfast, and has represented his country (Northern Ireland) on numerous occasions. Nick teaches mathematics for a living, and plays Bridge for pleasure, but above all he is a true gentleman. At the Bridge table, and away from it, Nick always puts others before himself.

His first hand is from a congress in Oxford many years ago, where Nick (West) was partnering Max Bavin (East) in the Pairs.

North opened 1© , South responded 1NT, and that was the final contract. At most tables, this contract made 7 or 8 tricks - but not at this table. Nick led his lowest spade, which declarer won with the Queen on table. A small heart was led to the Queen, and Nick ducked! (If West wins this trick, then any return makes life easier for South.)

Now declarer decided to play for West to hold at least one diamond honour, so he ran ¨Q - losing to East's King. Max returned a spade, won by Nick who then led a small heart! Naturally, declarerer played ©9, letting East win the trick. Back came a third spade. Continuing with his plan in diamonds, declarer finessed again - losing to East's ¨J. Max cashed §A and exited with a diamond, to lock declarer in dummy. South made just 2 spades, 1 heart and 2 diamonds for 2 down - and a complete bottom.

The second hand comes from the Irish trials. Nick's partner (North) mis-remembers the system in a complex relay sequence, and accidentally shows a four card club suit. Thus Nick lands in 6§ , when 6¨ is a better contract. But can he make the slam anyway?

The lead is ªQ - how would you play?

At first sight, it looks right to cash §A K - keeping trump losers to one if clubs are 3-3, or 4-2 with a doubleton honour.

But Nick spotted that, against good opposition, this will only work if trumps are 3-3. A defender with 4 clubs will simply duck the third round, and then there is no way back to hand to force out the last trump without setting up a loser. If you try to run diamonds, the defender just ruffs the third or fourth round.

Therefore, Nick played for at least one club honour on-side. He ran §10 immediately (losing), and then used a diamond entry to repeat the club finesse. Unluckily, both club honours were off-side. Even worse, since clubs broke 3-3, the thoughtless play of §AK would have worked!