Month: January 2010

Hi all

Back in the US of A. My trip to The Netherlands was great but exhausting. Sleeping in different beds several nights in a row, cram visits to friends, family and old colleagues into small windows of time, oh, and did I mention “De Zaak” had Pauwel Kwak on draught. I fear that I’ve gained some difficult to lose weight.

Here’s a deal from a clubnight in Rotterdam. Rekindling my partnership with René (North) for a couple of hours. He didn’t let me down, for there was enough spectacle.

1. Natural 4+ , or 15-19 balanced
2. Explained as invitational with trump support
3. Blammo!

West sure took a timid approach valueing his hand, just 3 with seven trumps and a void? After René heard the explanation of 3 he announced a skip bid that felt well-acquainted. I have a couple of fond memories of René ruthlessly blasting to slam without enquiries. West took a few deep breaths before taking the plunge, he sacrificed in 6. We extracted a +500 penalty from that. 

The score sheet was … colourful. Pairs making 7, down in 7, 6 doubled with an overtrick or just making, down in 6, 6 doubled down two and one happy-go-lucky EW pair that got to declare 4 doubled.

Hi all

May the gods you are loyal to grant you the success you deserve for 2010.

It has been a whirlwind of attention, questions, Dutch treats and jet lag. Man, if I weren’t enjoying myself so much I would need a holiday after this. This deal is from a pairs night at Star. I was sitting West and heard the following auction.

1. Inverted
2. Stopper

I led my 5th and dummy revealed a promising stiff .

Partner Erik S. wins the Ace of and returns the Jack via the Queen for my … 2. I decided to duck to keep communications intact. Basically the analysis comes down to whether South holds Queen – doubleton, or Queen – third. The latter seemed more likely in my opinion.

Declarer wrapped up ten tricks easily.

For West it’s impossible to see from what holding East has returned the Jack. Maybe you can toy around with “change in tempo”-tactics, unfortunately I’m a too ethical player to adapt to such practices. In a teams match East can offer a helping hand in the defence. Seeing the danger that West might duck the Jack return, East can cash the Ace of first before firing back the Jack, that should stir West’s cup of coffee in the right direction.