Winning matches like these requires everyone to contribute. We got a decent swing on the board below. Even the non-playing Chris Chambers, who is still recovering, made a contribution to this swing.
Its board 21 (out of 32). You are West and pick up ♠ 108542 ♥ 42 ♦ 654 ♣ J83. It's the ideal vulnerability. They are vulnerable and you are not. Partner opens 1♠ and RHO overcalls 1NT. What do you bid? It's tempting to try and get a bit clever here. Playing five card majors you know you have at least a 10 card fit. Bid to the level of the fit. That means bidding 4♠ . As I was considering what to bid, I remember Chris telling me a long time ago that 5332 hands are never as good as they look so it was time to be cautious. I bid a paltry 2♠ which was passed out. The full hand:
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♠ 6
♥ 10 9 6 3
♦ Q J 10 8
♣ Q 6 5 4
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♠ 10 8 6 4 2
♥ 4 2
♦ 6 5 4
♣ J 8 3
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♠ A Q J 7 3
♥ Q J
♦ 9 7
♣ A K 9 2
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♠ K 9
♥ A K 8 7 5
♦ A K 3 2
♣ 10 7
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Gary played it nicely to end play South to open up the Club suit or give a ruff and discard. 8 tricks is the limit.
In the other room. After the opening bid of 1♠ , Malcolm Pryor made what must be the much better bid of 2♥ (rather than 1NT). West decided to show his flair and bid 4♠ . Malcolm doubled this and we score +300. Added to the +110 in the other room that was 9 imps to Ipswich.
As you can see NS can make 4♥ . Would they have got there? Almost certainly, confirming I think why Malcolm's 2♥ is the much better choice.
We took the lead after this hand and managed to hold it until the end.
CG
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