Same hand — two different outcomes
By David EzekielIt’s a good thing that there is nothing major to report on at the moment as I am having a struggle with the column this week — I am travelling and coping with new software, and failing badly!Results of the Junior Teams and Ernie Owen Individual will be in next week.This hand came up in a team game — the auction at both tables was exactly the same in both rooms, the first two cards on opening lead were the same, but one declarer succeeded ... and the other did not!Dealer South E/W vulnerableN Q95 Q8 AK Q87643E 2 9642 873 KJ1095S KJ1084 5 QJ1095 A2W A763 AKJ1073 642 NoneIn both rooms, South opened a spade, West overcalled two hearts, North bid three clubs, East bid four hearts and after two passes North bid four spades which became the final contract.West led the two top hearts ... declarer in the Open Room ruffed, led a spade to the Queen and another spade which West allowed to hold. Declarer was now in trouble. He could not play another trump as West would win and lead another heart forcing declarer’s last trump — curtains!So declarer played the Ace and King of diamonds, tried a club to the Ace but West ruffed, cashed the trump Ace and played a heart ... declarer ruffed but still had a club to lose — down one!In the closed room the declarer pitched his club on the second heart! West now switched to a diamond but the declarer was in control ... he won, played trumps and when West won the third round and played a heart declarer ruffed, drew the last trump pitching the blocking Ace of diamonds and claimed! Neat — well done!
LATEST RESULTS FROM BERMUDA BRIDGE CLUB
Monday, September 30
Afternoon
North-South: 1 Terrence & Rebecca Murray; 2 Jula Beach-Russ Craft; 3 Jeanette Shaw-Julia Lunn
East-West: 1 Kathy Keane-Caroline Svensen; 2 Renate Flint-Gillian Hamilton; 3 Kath Bell-Elsie Dragonetti
Evening
North-South: 1 Jack Rhind-Alan Douglas; 2 Simon Giffen
East-West: 1 Earnest Paynter-Charles Pearman; 2 Jeff Bock-Bryan Geer
Tuesday, October 1
North-South: 1 Kathy Keane-Irene Chew; 2 Rosie Smith-Noula Contibas
East-West: 1 Ted & Joyce Pearson; 2 Linda Abend-Lidge Raben-Livetzau
Wednesday, October 2
Morning
North-South: 1 Pat Siddle-Diana Diel; 2 Richard & Wendy Gray; 3 Louise Rodger-Lyn O’Niel
East-West: 1 Greta Marshall-Lynanne Bolton; 2 Julia Beach-Mona Marie Gambrill; 3 Janice Trott-Ellen Davidson