This
deal is from the Bernard Goldenfield Teams final at
the Manchester Congress.
Sally Brock, sitting North, typically pre-empted as high as she dare with three spades, John Holland sitting East didn't quite have enough to bid then Austrian international Jovi Smederevac raised to four spades. Rodney Lighton now might have bid four notrump to show a two suiter but, with the clubs being so much better than the hearts, five clubs seemed more sensible. John now had enough to raise to six clubs. Jovi bid six spades as a save. Rodney passed to show a first round spade control and willingness to play in seven clubs. Unsurprisingly, given his spade holding and potential heart loser, John elected to double. The defence took a club, a diamond, two heart and three spade tricks for six off and +1400. A grand slam in clubs makes with the heart finesse working and the hand with two hearts only having one trump. In
the other room Jackie Pye didn't open the North
hand. Mike Scoltock opened one club as East,
Jeff Smith overcalled three diamonds. Barry
Myers hadn't come all the way to Manchester (even if
virtually) to mess around, so he bid six
clubs. Mike played safely for twelve tricks
and a score of 1370. So just one imp to the
Holland team on an exciting deal.
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