Time trouble is rearing its ugly head, as we try to get information about just some of the deals that have caught the eye during the last three days. Must learn to type faster!

Board 24. Dealer West. Love All ª Q J 6 4 3 2 © Q J 9 4 3 ¨ — § 5 3 ª K 9 ª 10 © 2 © A K 10 8 7 6 5 ¨ A J 8 7 6 5 3 2 ¨ — § 8 4 § A Q 10 7 2 ª A 8 7 5 © — ¨ K Q 10 9 4 § K J 9 6

North intended his double to be for penalties, but South did not see it that way. Of course, you will always expect to encounter problems of this kind in an individual, but not when you are playing with your regular partner!

West led his heart, and South ruffed. He played a sneaky nine of diamonds, and when West played low, discarded a club from dummy, allowing East - we are still trying to discover who that was! - to ruff. Back came a heart, and declarer ruffed low and was overruffed. A club to the ace and another heart promoted West's king of spades.

Sometimes you just wish the ground would open up and swallow you.

Board 2. Dealer East. NS Game ª 2 © 6 ¨ K Q 9 8 7 6 2 § 9 4 3 2 ª A 10 8 ª 9 7 6 3 © K J 8 5 4 © A 10 7 3 ¨ 10 3 ¨ 4 § K Q 5 § A J 10 6 ª K Q J 5 4 © Q 9 2 ¨ A J 5 § 8 7

North led his singleton spade, and declarer won with the ace, cashed the king of hearts, and played a heart to the ace. Now came a club to the king, a club to the jack, and the ace of clubs. Had Zia false carded in clubs? Helness did not ruff, and now declarer was able to play the ten of clubs and get rid of a losing spade.

Faced with a similar situation, Tony Forrester made no mistake, taking his queen of hearts, two spades and the ace of diamonds.