Both sides were looking for points, with the Netherlands having the greater need of them.

Both teams did well on this deal.

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

Aided by the bidding, both declarers negotiated the trump suit for only one loser. The late Terence Reece always maintained that bidding with the North hand was pointless - all it achieves is to tell declarer how to play the hand. On the other hand you are hoping to make it awkward for the opponents to reach their best spot. You pay your money and you take your choice!

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

West led the queen of clubs and declarer soon claimed ten tricks, +170.

Facing the average weak two bid you would not always be a favourite to make Four Spades, but the lure of the vulnerable game bonus was enough for Paulissen.

The lead and the number of tricks recorded was exactly as in the other room, so the Netherlands had 10 IMPs.

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

If the clubs had broken and East had been dealt a spade so declarer could take a spade finesse, 3NT would have been easy. As it was it drifted two down, -200.

West led a heart and East took the ace and switched to the six of diamonds. Declarer took the winning view by refusing the finesse and eventually emerged with with seven tricks. -100 but 7 IMPs to France.

Board 11. Dealer South. Love All ª Q 8 5 2 © A 9 7 ¨ 10 6 § A 10 9 6 ª J 7 4 3 ª K 6 © J 10 6 5 3 © 4 ¨ J 4 ¨ A K 9 8 5 3 § 4 3 § K Q 7 5 ª A 10 9 © K Q 8 2 ¨ Q 7 2 § J 8 2

This unhappy contract drifted three down, -150.

You will have to ask Ramer why he didn't pass the double of Three Diamonds. Still, Three Hearts played better than Three Clubs and he managed to come to eight tricks. -50 was worth 3 IMPs.