Hi all
I have recovered from what proved to be a nuclear cold. My 34th has passed by quite silently. An ant colony has invaded our kitchen and current (Orange Oil fueled) negotiations are stalled. For Thanksgiving we’re planning a roadtrip from Chicago via Denver back home. Tomorrow Massive Attack will be performing in the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. And our 4th batch of beer looks and smells very promising, it should be at its prime by the end of December.
Here’s a deal from a pairs match in Santa Clara. I was playing with Elenalani.
1. I have lost connection to reality
It’s weird, all the others have something to say, but I’m fairly sure I’m the one holding the most points. I couldn’t process what was happening, I had no clue at all.
Full deal:
We held 4 to ten tricks, 
lead, 
switch and a ruff. But we’re cold for 5, some people even made an overtrick because of the very favourable position. It actually needs a lead and a switch to beat 6. I should take some blame for not rewarding my partner’s courage for entering the auction at the four-level. On the other hand, Elenalani’s hand looks like a fine preempt to me, why care about those four pips?
Why West didn’t open that hand is a mystery to me. “How to get yourself in trouble?” Chapter 1, Paragraph 1. Usually if I pass hands like this, my partners surprise me with a 3rd seat preempt in my void.
6
is cold, isn’t it? Even with a heart lead and spade switch. You cash the ace of clubs, then king of diamonds and diamond to the jack and play clubs from top. When west plays the king you ruff high and cross in trumps to cash the clubs.
Yes, you are right. I was wrong in my analysis.
will go away on the fifth 
. Poorly analyzed by me, my bad.
You can counter a four round holdup by ruffing high. Then the last