14th World Bridge Games
Captain's Log, Stardate 120811-2
A better day.
We started with a 17-13 win against Reunion (Terry & Avi, Paul & Robert), followed by an 18-12 win against Norway (David & Zol, Paul & Robert) and finished with a 24-6 win against Venezuela (David & Zol, Terry & AvI).
To qualify I think you require around 50 per day - so our total of 59 is more than adequate - but we have several tough matches to come and our average (following a poor start) is still below this tally.
The women (13, 14, 25) had a reasonable day and remain on track in their event.
Try this hand from round 4 (nil vul) ...
Second seat
KQ9
Axx
AKQJxxx
Void
(3H overcall from third seat)
Fourth seat
xxx
Qx
xx
AQxxxx
Clearly you want to play 3NT from the fourth seat hand - does your partnership manage it? In the open match we gained 2 imps for 6D down 2 against 5D down 1.
The fifth set was one of the most boring set of hands I've ever seen (I fell asleep in the vugraph theatre). Avi did well on this hand from the sixth set.
98
J98xx
AKx
QJx
AQ7x
K
QJx
A87xx
1H-2C-3C-3NT - after winning the spade the lead with the Queen he crossed to the DA and led the CQ-K-A-heart picth (showing an odd number) So now (getting desperate) he tried the HK! - which held. Next he tried club to the Jack and another club. East won and exited a diamond, so Avi led C8 establishing his 9th trick. This was worth ten imps.
Tomorrow we play Turkey, Japan and Latvia - three more wins and we will be right in the mix for a qualifying spot.
Goodnight from Lille,
Michael Wilkinson