East-West vulnerable. South deals.

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA K 5

u8 5

vA Q J 7 6

wJ 7 4

WEST EAST

x3 xQ 4

uK 9 7 4 uQ J 10 6 3

v10 9 3 v8 5 4 2

wA K Q 5 2 w10 6

SOUTH

xJ 10 9 8 7 6 2

uA 2

vK

w9 8 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

3x Dbl 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of w

The number 13 might be considered unlucky, but not by the 13th-seeded team in the Trials to select the two teams to represent the United States in the upcoming World Team Championships to be in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 13th seed of Steve Robinson-Peter Boyd, Kit Woolsey-Fred Stewart, Adam Wildavsky-Doug Doub won the event and will be USA 1. Winners of the repechage event for teams previously eliminated were the top-seeded team of “Nick” Nickell-Richard Freeman, Jeff Meckstroth-Eric Rodwell, Robert Hamman-Zia Mahmood, who will be USA 2.

Once upon a time, a nonvulnerable three-level pre-empt showed a fair seven-card suit with little or nothing in the way of defensive values. These days it shows a random seven cards in the bid suit and an equally random six remaining cards. The auction was identical at the two tables.

Where Woolsey-Stewart sat North-South, West took two high clubs and, despite partner’s carding showing an even number of clubs, elected to shift to a heart — 11 tricks to North-South.

Where Robinson-Boyd sat East-West, Boyd continued with a third club and Robinson discarded the jack of hearts. Boyd continued with a fourth club and, whether or not declarer ruffed high in dummy, East’s queen of trumps became the setting trick.

2009 Tribune Media Services