The Bermuda Regional starts tonight

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So, it’s here.

Tonight sees the start of the 2013 Bermuda Regional at the Fairmont Southampton, which has been its home for an almost uninterrupted period spanning nearly four decades.

The tournament is the unchallenged centrepiece of the local bridge calendar and this year promises to be better than ever with a sharp uptick in bookings for the event (350 visitors booked to come compared to 150 last year) and a real energy surrounding it.

Much of the credit for this must go to chairperson Katrina Van Pelt and her committee who have promoted the event tirelessly over the past year.

There is a big contingent from Canada to add to the players coming from the US and a lot of hard work has gone into making sure that everything at the event is of the highest standard.

I hear there are a number of innovations being introduced — pre-dealt boards, bridge-mates will be used for scoring, new Bermuda Gold games for under 750s and parking assistance for the elderly. All great stuff.

The tournament kicks off with the Charity Pairs on the Saturday night (formal or at least super smart dress recommended) and this years charity beneficiary will be the Salvation Army. Last year’s recipient Windreach will get their $2,000 cheque at a presentation on Monday night.

Karl Hicks will once again be Chief Tournament Director assisted by his remarkable group of qualified ACBL Regional Directors, of which our own Jack Rhind will be one.

Janet Evans will once again edit the all-important Daily Bulletin and I hear there is a potential change in format, so watch out for that.

I also hear that fun stuff about the Regional will be sent out daily on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ll do my two Panel Shows on Tuesday and Thursday at noon, an hour later than usual, and will have Allan Graves here for that, and will then MC the banquet, which looks like being huge, on the Friday night.

Also attending will be the new ACBL President Don Mamula and his wife Linda. We welcome him and it is always a good start to a presidency to attend here as there is much at our Regional that is best-in-class.

This week’s hand can be entitled ‘Why use a feather when you can use a hammer?’ West on the hand below was wide-awake at the table and took the required action to guide partner along the right path.

Board 2. N/S Vul. Dealer West.

S K32

H None

D J98753

C K943

S A654 S QJ10987

H J83 H 4

D 4 D AK42

C Q10875 C J6

S None

H AKQ1097652

D Q10

C A2

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass 2S 4H

4S dbl Pass 5H

Pass Pass Pass

After a short but freewheeling auction (East’s opener would not be my choice as I don’t really want a spade lead, but in third seat opposite a passed partner and at favourable vulnerability it at least sets up a sacrifice) South ended up in a good 5 Heart contract which looked set to make, before our hero West got to work.

West decided not to lead partner’s suit and led his singleton diamond, a reasonable choice given his spade suit length.

Partner cashed the King and then the Ace of diamonds and West was faced with a discard. A third diamond would sink the contract as it would promote the jack of hearts, but there was a real danger that East would switch to a spade, playing West for the Ace.

West saw this and came up with an elegant solution, he threw away the Spade Ace on the second diamond. Now East could not go wrong and the third diamond duly scuppered the contract.

Well done. The lesson is simple. Put yourself in partner’s shoes and then make life as easy as possible for him or her.

If you do that throughout the week of the Regional you will have some good results and a very happy partner. Best of luck.

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