7th European Mixed Championships Page 5 Bulletin 6 - Thursday, 21 March  2002


A Short Problem on Bidding

In Round 8 one hand resulted in swings all over the place:

Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul.
  ª 7 4
© K Q 5 2
¨ A Q 6 3
§ 10 3 2
ª 10
© A 7 6
¨ K 10 9 5 2
§ J 9 6 5
Bridge deal ª A 3
© J 10 9 8 4 3
¨ 8 4
§ 8 7 4
  ª K Q J 9 8 6 5 2
© -
¨ J 7
§ A K Q

The simple problem for North/South is to reach Six Spades.
We know at least one International who considered the South hand to be worth an opening bid of Four Spades after three passes.

One less fortunate pair heard their opponents bid:

West North East South
Pass Pass Pass 2¨*
Pass 2©* Pass 3ª
Pass 4NT* Pass 5ª*
Pass 6ª All Pass  

There is no reason why this should not have been off two cashing aces, but South's heart void was an undeserved bonus for North.

This was a better effort:

West North East South
  Gunev   Popova
Pass 1¨* Pass 1ª
Pass 1NT Pass 2©*
Pass 2ª Pass 5©*
Pass 5NT Pass 6ª
All Pass      

Two Hearts was a transfer to spades, setting the suit, and Five Hearts was (we think) Exclusion Blackwood. An excellent practical shot that led to the top spot.



Page 5

  Return to top of page
<<Previous  
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
To the Bulletin List