Bermuda v Canada

Bermuda Bowl Round 17

The Bermuda Open team have had a tough tournament but it has had its good moments. The pick of those was undoubtedly the Round 17 win over Canada. Here we show the three key swing deals which helped Bermuda to their 22-8 VP victory.

Board 1. Dealer North. None Vul.
	ª Q 6 © K 10 ¨ K Q 2 § A J 6 5 3 2
ª A K 5 © Q J 5 4 2 ¨ 9 8 6 3 § 7		ª J 10 9 7 4 © A 9 8 7 6 ¨ A 10 § 8
	ª 8 3 2 © 3 ¨ J 7 5 4 § K Q 10 9 4

West	North	East	South
Harvey		Douglas
	1§	2§	2ª
4©	Pass	Pass	5§
5©	Dble	All Pass

West	North	East	South
	Smolski		Petty
	1NT	Dble	2NT
Pass	3§	Pass	Pass
4§	5§	Dble	All Pass

	Vera Petty, Bermuda

North for Canada opened 1§ and Bermuda’s Alan Harvey made a Michaels cuebid. South showed a constructive club raise and Ian Harvey jumped to the cold heart game. When South sacrificed in 5§, Harvey took the push to 5©, where he was doubled. The opening lead was the king of diamonds to dummy’s ace and Harvey led the ªJ at trick two, rising with the ace when South followed low without thought. The heart finesse won and the last heart was drawn and now Harvey dropped the queen of spades to bring home his contract with an overtrick; +750.

In the other room, Roman Smolski opened a strong no trump and East doubled – one minor or both majors. Vera Petty showed one minor and West cuebid, over which Smolski saved in 5§. That was very much the winning decision as there were just four tricks to be lost for –300 but 10 IMPs to Bermuda.

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

West	North	East	South
Harvey		Douglas
1©	Pass	4©	All Pass

West	North	East	South
	Smolski		Petty
1NT	Pass	3NT	All Pass

Two very simple auctions, both of which make perfect sense after the opening bid (1© was Precision). Harvey’s 4© made twelve tricks after a spade lead for +680. Smolski also led a spade against 3NT. Dummy’s bare ace won, perforce, and declarer crossed to hand with a diamond to lead a cunning §7. Not cunning enough on this occasion as Smolski hopped up with his ace and continued spades; down one for –100 and 13 IMPs to Bermuda.

Board 15. Dealer South. N/S Vul.
	ª A 9 8 6 3 © Q 6 5 2 ¨ J 8 § J 10
ª K J 7 5 2 © 10 ¨ 6 5 § A 7 6 3 2		ª Q 4 © A K J 4 ¨ A 4 3 § K Q 9 8
	ª 10 © 9 8 7 3 ¨ K Q 10 9 7 2 § 5 4

West	North	East	South
Harvey		Douglas
			Pass
2ª	Pass	4ª	All Pass

West	North	East	South
	Smolski		Petty
			2¨
Pass	Pass	3NT	Pass
Pass	Dble	4©	Dble
All Pass

Harvey’s 2ª opening was simply a weak two bid. The five-one split could have put the contract under serious threat had North led a diamond to set up a force, but fortunately he chose the jack of clubs and Harvey was in control. He just lost three trump tricks for +420.

In the other room, Petty had a weak 2¨ opening at her disposal, promising two of the top three honours, and used it. East simply jumped to 3NT when that came around to him, a contract that would have been an easy make. But now Smolski took an inspired view. His partnership play that a double here would ask for a spade lead and he took a gamble that I must confess would not have occurred to me when he did indeed double. East had a serious worry about the spades and guessed to run to 4©, doubled by Petty. How wonderful for North/South! Had West realized what was going on he could have corrected back to 4NT but he could not imagine that his partner had bid a four-card suit – after all, the jump to 3NT would more often than not be based on a long suit, would it not? He passed and this bizarre contract drifted three off for –500. That was another 14 IMPs to Bermuda, setting the seal on an excellent victory.