The annual St. Louis Regional Bridge Tournament took place July 13 through 19, the first time it was held before the summer national championships in Chicago. The scheduling had a major impact on attendance: Even a few of the international-level players showed up! I’m proud to say that St. Louisans competed well. Playing in a Bracket 1 KO, South, a local player competing against world-class opponents found the right line of play to bring home a small slam.
[the bidding]
N
1 D
1 NT
2 S
5 D (0-3 key cards)
Pass
E
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
S
1 S
2 C (New Minor Forcing)
4 NT (1430)
6 S
W
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
« Opening lead: K♥
NORTH
♠ A J 7
♥ 6 2
♦ A 10 8 3 2
♣ A 6 2
WEST
♠ Q 9
♥ K Q J 9 7
♦ 9 7
♣ K 8 5 4
EAST
♠ 10
♥ 10 8 4 3
♦ Q 6 5
♣ Q 10 9 7 3
SOUTH
♠ K 8 6 5 4 3 2
♥ A 5
♦ K J 4
♣ J
[ the play ]
1. West led ♥ King, 2 from dummy, East the 10, and South the Ace.
2. Declarer led the ♠ King, West the 9, North the 7, and East the 10.
3. With ♠s breaking, South had 7 ♠s, 1 ♥, 1 ♣ and 3 ♦s needed for the successful slam.
4. Declarer led the ♣ Jack to dummy’s Ace.
5. Dummy’s ♣ 2 to ♠ 8.
6. Declarer’s ♠ 2 to dummy’s Ace.
7. Dummy’s ♣ 6 to declarer’s ♠ 3.
8. The key play—declarer led the ♥5. No matter which opponent won the trick, they were forced
to break ♦s or give declarer a ruff/sluff.
9. West won the ♥ Jack and led the ♦9.
10. Declarer played the ♦2 from the dummy. When East produced the ♦ Queen, the hand was made.
11. Twelve tricks taken with an elimination play. Nice!
[Do you have a good bridge tip? Email kennethmbland@yahoo.com.]
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
