Jean Johnson and Charles Hall are the 2014 Mixed Pairs Champions at the Bermuda Bridge Club finishing ahead of Russell and Dee Craft in second, Stephanie and Eddie Kyme in third, Diana Diel and John Hoskins in fourth and Magda Farag and Joe Wakefield in fifth.

Jean and Charles were lying second after the first session in a bunched leaderboard and, in a strange second session where only one of the top four at the halfway point broke 50 percent, ended up winning with a board and a half to spare after a 54.59 percent game. Eddie and Stephanie had a great 59.55 percent second session and Russ and Dee were not far behind with 57.32 percent.

This was a solid performance over the two sessions by the winners, both of whom have won numerous titles before — whilst they are not a regular partnership they have played together before on a semi frequent basis and clearly that stood them in good stead as they finished ahead of some regular partnerships.

Well done to the winners and to the placing pairs, and also well done to Lorna Andersen and Ernest Paynter who finished just outside the top five and who are showing that they belong in the Open game.

I’ve constructed today’s hand to make it very, very easy for you to figure out where the problem lies, and then all you have to do is figure out the solution. One hint, I can guarantee that at a Junior game no more than one player in a field of 20 would make the right play, and at an Open game perhaps three out of 20 would. To add to the confusion I would make a large bet that in a National Championship in the US, every single player would get it right.

So with all of that to help you here is the hand:

Dealer South, N/S Vulnerable

(Spades / Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs)

North: 1072 / 432 / A87 / A863

South: AKQJ6 / AKQ5 / K4 / K4

You pick up that amazing hand as South and open 2 Clubs (strong) and to your surprise and delight partner responds with 2NT, a balanced positive. You now bid 3 Spades and partner bids 4 Spades. You Blackwood (Roman Key Card) and partner bids 5 Hearts, showing 2 Aces and no Spade Queen. You can now count twelve tricks (5 Spades, 3 Hearts, 2 Diamonds and 2 Clubs) and after briefly considering 7NT (the Heart Jack or any minor suit Queen would give you 13 tricks) you settle for 7 Spades.

West starts with the Heart Jack which you win with the Ace - over to you. I can tell you that the trumps are 3-2; plan your play before I help you.

There aren’t a lot of options. If the opposing Hearts are 3-3 you have 13 tricks (as will those in 7NT) but what if they aren’t? Well, you have to show why you are playing in Spades and not NT.

Draw two rounds of trumps only, and before playing the third round play another two rounds of Hearts. Yes, I know you hate it but take a look at all four hands and see why it makes sense.

The full hand:

(Spades / Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs)

North: 1072 / 432 / A87 / A863

East: 43 / 76 / J9432 / J952

South: AKQJ6 / AKQ5 / K4 / K4

West: 985 / J1098 / Q106 / Q107

If Hearts are 3-3 you now draw the last trump and claim. If, however, they aren’t and the defender with the long Hearts also has the last trump, as in the hand above, you ruff your last Heart, come to your hand, draw the last Club and claim.

Really not difficult, but would you do it at the table?