Board 2 on 13th December 2007

Knowing the best way to play card combinations - there are over 600 of them listed in the bridge encyclopedia - is a useful attribute. However, it's one thing to know the theory but you also have to consider the combination in the context of the deal. Sometimes there are other factors that determine what the 'correct' play should be. Board 2 was a perfect example of this.

North : J52 / AKQ / J105432 / 2
East : 104 / J965 / AK7 / J964
South : A96 / 432 / 86 / AKQ87
West : KQ873 / 1087 / Q9 / 105

Once North decided to open 1D, there was no way of keeping South out of game. South responded 2C and then jumped to 3NT over North's 2D rebid. West led a low spade and North recognised the spade combination immediately. With a suit headed KQ10, West would have led the King. If West's spades were headed KQ or K10 or Q10, West would lead a low card. So, when a low card is led, West is twice as likely to have led from K10 or Q10 than from KQ.

With this in mind, the 'correct' play under normal circumstances is a low spade from dummy. You hope that East will have to play an honour (K or Q) which you will win with the Ace. Now dummy's Jack is a second stop in the suit as long as West has the other top honour (K or Q). South did play low but it was East who held the 10. South held up the Ace but E/ persisted with spades and South's Ace was knocked out. There was nothing South could do and the contract finished two down.

Unfortunately, South didn't think the whole thing through correctly from the start. South needs four club tricks (to go with three hearts and two spades). That means South will need to lose a club trick before the fifth card is established. And that means it's vital to keep an entry to that card ... and that can only be the Ace of spades.

Can you see the point now ? South should have played against the odds at trick 1 and called for dummy's Jack of spades. It doesn't matter where the 10, Queen or King are. The only way to make this contract is to hope that West has underled the KQ of spades. Once dummy's Jack of spades holds the first trick, declarer ducks a club. The best the defence can do is to take three diamond tricks but with the clubs splitting 4-3, and with the Ace of spades as an entry, declarer has the rest. Nine tricks made.

Mike
14th December 2007

Limoncello and Raspberry semi-freddo

100gm raspberries
85gm golden castor sugar
284ml double cream
4tbs limoncello
2 x 200ml crème fraiche

225gm raspberries
2tbs golden castor sugar
2tbs limoncello
extra raspberries

line base of a 1kg loaf tin(19cm x 12cm)
for the semi freddo
mash the raspberries and half the sugar in a bowl with a fork
whisk the cream, the rest of the sugar and the limoncello to soft peaks
beat the crème fraiche briefly so it is in soft peaks like the cream
gently fold the cream mixture and the crème fraiche together
pour the mashed raspberries into the cream and give a few stirs only
pour the mixture into the loaf tin and smooth the top
for the coulis
mash the raspberries, sugar and limoncello with a fork, then push through a
sieve

open freeze the semi freddo then cover with cling film and foil
put the coulis in a rigid container and freeze for up to 1 month

defrost – coulis overnight, semifreddo 1 hour in fridge.

2006/2007 Season

Awaits further input. Please inform Geoff Lewis of any suitable items for inclusion.