There are a few people present for the Bermuda Bowl that attract crowds most players can only dream of. Geir Helgemo is one of those. This board from the latest Reisinger may help to illustrate why Geir has risen to stardom, and why Rita Shugart's team defended their title so convincingly.

The lead of the middle card from three, followed by the highest, is conventionally called MUD - middle-up-down. Third hand «MUD» is a technique used by a defender when he wants to keep the communication lines with his partner, for example playing the queen from A-Q-x when he knows daclarer has the king.

Board 1. Dealer . Game All ª K J 10 9 6 3 © 9 7 4 ¨ 7 2 § 6 5 ª 7 5 4 ª A Q 8 2 © K J 8 5 © 10 3 2 ¨ 9 8 6 3 ¨ A J 5 § 8 3 § A K 4 ª — © A Q 6 ¨ K Q 10 4 § Q J 10 9 7 2     West North East South 1§ Pass 1ª 1NT 2§ Pass 2ª Pass 3§ All Pass

Lead: six of diamonds

At both tables the contract was Three Clubs, and the lead was the same. The other East player put up the Ace (who wouldn't?), which incidentally gave declarer three diamond tricks, and a total of eight.

Knowing that declarer was likely to hold the King at least, Geir played the JACK! There was no way South could get more than two diamond tricks, and following a perefect defence team Shugart won the board when declarer had to go two down.