Fortune Favours The Brave
Bridge is amongst other things a game where you have to judge, and be good at judging risk. Do you pass and risk missing out on the goodies or do you stick your neck out risking your head to be chopped off by the guillotine as well as by partner and team mates? This board from Manchester’s County Match against Sussex is a prime example - Only two pairs found the game and 3 players was allowed to play in 1 NT from South’s seat.
Board: 11
Dealer: South
Vul: None
North
♠ 86
♥ A1072
♦ 107
♣ Q9543
West East
♠ A1072. ♠ J954
♥ J64 ♥ Q53
♦ AQ2 ♦ KJ854
♣ 762 ♣ A
South
♠ KQ3
♥ K98
♦ 963
♣ KJ108
West North East South
1NT
pass pass 2♠(1) pass
2NT(2) pass 3♦(3) pass
4♠ (4)
(1) This shows spades and a minor. Yes it is only 11 hcp, but with 12-14 in south and a pass by North odds are that partner has something - Bridge is not for wimps
(2) What is your minor suit? Great support for partner, need to find out how well the other honour cards are working
(3) Diamonds.
(4) 10 out 0f 11 points are working points so it must be a play for game.
I don’t know if this was the exact thoughts going through Joy And Irving Blakey’s heads, but my bet is it was something close to the above.
South started with a small Heart won by the Ace in North, and Joy followed with the 5 to muddy the waters. North switched to the ♣4 won by force in East. Now came the ♠9 and when South followed with the three it was allowed to win the trick. A small Spade and Souths Queen was allowed to win in case the suit was 4-1.
South obviously thought clubs to be safer than hearts so he tried to cash the ♣ King, but Joy ruffed. Had it been pairs, I’m sure Joy now would have taken the slight risk by playing a ♦ to the Ace then ruff a club and another Diamond before the trump was pulled and 11 tricks could be claimed. As it was teams, no risk was needed, so the trump was pulled and 10 tricks claimed.
It gave 11 Imps to the “good guys” in a match they won 99-46
Espen Gisvold
PS
If you see a hand you think is worth mentioning please leave me a note at: Espen
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