The Terrible Twins

England's Hackett twins are two of the best-known faces on the international bridge circuit. These two deals from Round 3 of the Power Rosenblum illustrate both the aggression and imagination that they bring to the table.

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

West	North	East	South
	Justin		Jason
			1§
Pass	1©	Pass	2§
Pass	2¨	Pass	2NT
Pass	3NT	All Pass

Given the filth that the twins open, I am not quite sure what Justin was doing raising to 3NT - perhaps he upgraded the hand because of the club fit! Anyway, it was up to Jason to justify the bid.

West led a low spade to the queen and king and Jason played the ©10. When West covered with the queen, Jason ducked. Not wishing to open up any other suit, West exited with his low heart and Jason put in the nine. When that held, he cashed the rest of the hearts. Jason threw four clubs while West threw a club and a spade and East a spade.

The discards and West's failure to switch to a diamond when in with the heart convinced Jason that the ¨Q was on his left. In that case, the natural play of a diamond to the jack would be no use. Instead, he played a club to his ten and West's jack. West could cash the ace of clubs but was then endplayed. In practice, he switched to a low diamond and Jason had four tricks there to bring his total to nine. Had West instead exited with ace and another spade, Jason was ready to take the backward diamond finesse, running the jack then finessing the nine on the way back; nicely played for +600.

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

West	North	East	South
		1¨	Pass
1ª	Pass	2¨	Pass
3§	Pass	3¨	Pass
3NT	All Pass

Perhaps it would have worked out better had West bid 3NT directly over the 2¨ rebid but it seemed normal to check back for delayed spade support. The auction was very revealing and convinced Justin that a heart lead was called for. He chose the jack! Jason won the ace of hearts and returned a low one. Can declarer be blamed for going up with the queen? The twins grabbed the first five tricks now for down one. Nice lead.

McConnell Round One

By Jim Bjerkan

For the first round of the McConnell I sat down to watch Sabine Auken as her German team faced a strong USA squad captained by Jo Anne Casen. Sabine faced this bidding problem which highlights the difficulties than can be faced even when two world champions play together if they are not regular partners. Sabine held:

ª A K 5
© -
¨ K Q J 8 6 4
§ A K Q 9

And heard Sheri Weinstock on her right open 3© with nobody vulnerable. Of course, Sabine doubled and heard Jo Anne Casen raise to 4©. Pony Nehmert doubled that and it was back to Sabine. Well, clearly the double is responsive, isn't it? And how can partner not therefore hold the ace of diamonds and something useful in the black suits? Sabine leaped to 7¨ which ended the auction. Dummy was not exactly what she was looking for, being:

ª Q 10 7 3
© K Q J 10
¨ 9 7 2
§ 6 3

Well, at least nobody doubled! That was 14 IMPs to CASEN when the contract was 6¨ just making at the other table.

A few boards later Sabine held:

ª J 7 5 4 3
© Q 8 6 3
¨ 5
§ K J 4

With everyone vulnerable, she opened 2¨, 4-10 with at least four-four in the majors. Pony used the 2NT enquiry bid and Sabine bid 3¨, showing five spades and four hearts. Pony closed proceedings with a leap to 6©. Her hand:

ª A K 6
© A 10 7 3
¨ A Q 4
§ A Q 8

Six Hearts doesn't look like that great a contract does it? However, there was no problem in the play after the nine of hearts opening lead to the jack and ace. Trumps proved to be three-two and the ªQ was doubleton so the slam rolled in - for a flat board as it was also bid and made at the other table.

	ª A 4 © A 10 6 3 ¨ Q 9 § A 10 8 7 2
ª J 9 3 © 7 5 ¨ A K 6 § K Q 9 6 4		ª Q 10 8 2 © Q 9 8 2 ¨ 10 8 2 § 5 3
	ª K 7 6 5 © K J 4 ¨ J 7 5 4 3 § J

West	North	East	South
1§	1NT	Pass	2§
Pass	2©	Pass	3NT
All Pass

Casen led the five of clubs against the aggressive no trump game. That went to the queen and ace and Sabine had to find a way home. Of course, we can all see the winning line when looking at all 52 cards, but it is not quite so clear-cut single dummy. But Sabine, as befits a player who would get plenty of votes for being the best woman player in the world, got it right. She led a heart to the jack followed by a diamond to the queen. When that held she continued with a second diamond and, with the even diamond break, soon had nine tricks. Bringing home a dicey 23-point 3NT was worth a swing, right? Not at all, 3NT was also bid and made at the other table; just another felt board.