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Daily Bridge in New Zealand

John in conversation with Derek Frapwell and Bob Scott.

Just a Chance.

The passing of Alan Turner and John Wignall have made this a week of reflection and remembrance. In the last two days, we have remembered two stories about boards played by Alan Turner. Today it is John Wignall’s turn. In 1994 and 2008 in New Zealand Bridge Magazine, he reflected that the following was right up there with his favourite deals.

Bridge in NZ.pngnz map.jpg

West Deals
N-S Vul

A K 7 3

A K J 9 8 4

A 10 9

   

N

W

 

E

S

   
 

J 6 5

10 2

10 5 4 2

K Q 6 4

 

West

North

East

South

 

Kris Wooles

 

John Wignall

1 

Dbl

Pass

2 ♣

2 

3 

Pass

3 ♠

Pass

4 

Dbl

Pass

Pass

5 ♠

Pass

6 ♠

All pass

 

 

 

John commented that he and Kris were on different wavelengths as to the meaning of 5Spade-small. West led the Diamond-smallK.

What inferences can you draw from the bidding and opening lead which might help you to make this difficult contract?

6Heart-small would seem to be a more straightforward contract but there was no point in having such thoughts. Apparently, at the other table, the Mexican declarer was in the same contract as John and after muttering a few choice words in Spanish, ruffed the opening lead in dummy and quickly lost 4 tricks to be 3 down!

John and Kris .jpg 
   John and Kris celebrate a success being part of the winning Victor Champion 
   Cup team in Melbourne, in 2008. 

John was more circumspect. He reasoned that the opponents held 15 hcp with the opening lead (Diamond-smallK) and East’s double of 4Diamond-small (surely the Diamond-smallA) placed the remaining high cards with West, the opening bidder. Furthermore, West had length in diamonds (he bid the suit twice) and therefore both major suit queens might well be short.
So, he ruffed the opening lead and played Spade-smallAK with the queen falling from West on the second round. Next he played Heart-smallA with the Heart-smallQ singleton from West appearing again from West. These were the four hands:

West Deals
N-S Vul

A K 7 3

A K J 9 8 4

A 10 9

Q 9

Q

K Q J 8 7 3

J 8 5 3

 

N

W

 

E

S

 

10 8 4 2

7 6 5 3

A 9 6

7 2

 

J 6 5

10 2

10 5 4 2

K Q 6 4

 

He needed two club tricks and so then made the key play of Club-smallKQ before East could discard a club. Next came three more rounds of hearts with East having to follow. John had 9 tricks with these cards remaining:

 

7

8 4

A

Q J

J 8

 

N

W

 

E

S

 

10 8

A 6

 

J

10

6 4

John played Heart-small8 with East ruffing but John discarded a club from his hand. East played Diamond-smallA (playing a trump would give John the remaining tricks easily) which John ruffed in dummy to play dummy’s last heart. East was powerless as John had two further winners whether or not East ruffed.

Slam made. Never in doubt! Well, that is not true but showed what can be achieved by applying oneself and having a positive attitude.
As John put it: “There are a lot of lessons in this hand. If you reach a silly contract, do not say a word. Don’t cheer up the opponents and don’t upset your partner. Save your energy for working out how best to get something out of the deal. Then, if you see a chance, take it.”

He also said “It is the sort of deal that makes you want to go on playing forever.” He certainly did.

Another deal for JIN Club members tomorrow.

Richard Solomon

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