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For bridge hands of interest
The 3NT curse continues
A recent challenge featured two 3NT contracts from Sydney events that led to massive swings. Here are two more – this time from past Bermuda Bowl World Championships.
Bermuda Bowl, New York, 1981. Nil vul.
NORTH
♠ 2
♥ T8
♦ AKQT852
♣ 642
WEST EAST
♠ Q987 ♠ J54
♥ AQ964 ♥ J32
♦ 6 ♦ J3
♣ K97 ♣ AQJ53
SOUTH
♠ AKT63
♥ K75
♦ 974
♣ T8
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H 3H* Double 3NT
Pass Pass Double Pass
Pass Redble All pass
North, Meckstroth, jumped to three of the enemy suit to ask partner to bid 3NT with the suit stopped, a popular treatment over a major opening. His subsequent redouble, however, expressed doubt about 3NT. South, Rodwell, decided to take his chances anyway.
The curse of leading against 3NT
Like me, you’ve probably encountered some funny bridge hands, but the kind of funny that is accompanied more by tears than chuckles. Here is an offering from a past Trumps teams congress:
♠ A9
♥ AT75432
♦ 6
♣ T43
Your partner, West, passes. North opens 1D. You are not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, and preempt 3H. South outbids you with 3S, and after your partner passes, North ventures 3NT. This is passed around to your partner, who doubles, concluding the auction. What do you lead?
Far out deals in the Far East
The Yeh Bros Cup is one of the world’s big money bridge competitions. These dramatic deals are from a past match between Italy and the USA:
Dealer South, both vul.
NORTH
♠ 63
♥ 9
♦ KQ842
♣ KQJ86
WEST EAST
♠ 52 ♠ 9
♥ AT86 ♥ QJ5432
♦ AJ975 ♦ T63
♣ 54 ♣ 932
SOUTH
♠ AKQJT874
♥ K7
♦ —
♣ AT7
Voyage of discovery
How strong is the following hand, and what is your strategy for bidding it? You are dealer, not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents.
♠ 8
♥ 3
♦ AKJT86
♣ AKT92
Careful declarer play
Start with these two card combinations to warm up. In both instances you are declarer in a notrump contract:
1. ♥ K42 in dummy (West) opposite your ♥ T76. South leads the queen of this suit; should you “cover an honour with an honour”?
2. ♣ Q972 opposite ♣ AK653. How should you play this suit?
Fight for the extra trick
Today’s hand was submitted in the past by Australian expert Tim Bourke. Consider the bidding and play.
Dealer South, NS vul.
NORTH
♠ T6
♥ J62
♦ QJ5
♣ K9653
WEST EAST
♠ AQJ87 ♠ 9532
♥ 5 ♥ QT9
♦ T983 ♦ K76
♣ Q87 ♣ JT2
SOUTH
♠ K4
♥ AK8743
♦ A42
♣ A4
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H
1S 2H 2S 4H
All pass
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