bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x10 5 4 3

u4

vK J 10 9 2

wQ 10 6

WEST EAST

x9 7 6 xK Q 8

uJ 5 uA 10 8 6

vQ 8 v7 6 5 3

wK J 7 5 3 2 w8 4

SOUTH

xA J 2

uK Q 9 7 3 2

vA 4

wA 9

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

2NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Five of w

The last time prior to this summer that Toronto had hosted an ACBL National Championship was 10 years ago. ’Nick’ Nickell, partnered by the late Richard Freeman, starred on this deal from the Life Masters Pairs.

With every suit stopped, Nickell chose well when he elected to rebid two no trump rather than rebid his six-card major and three no trump became the final contract. West led a fourth-best club and dummy’s ten held the trick. A heart to the king won, and declarer continued with the ace of diamonds and another, and he was well on the way when the queen appeared. He cashed out the suit, discarding three hearts from hand, then led a spade from the table. East shot up with the king, losing to the ace. This was the position:

10 5 4

—

—

Q 6

9 7 Q 8

— A 10 8

— —

K J 3 —

J 2

Q 9

—

A

Nickell finished off in style. He cashed the ace of clubs and East had an ugly choice of discards. He let go his low spade and, reading the position accurately, Nickell exited with the jack of spades to East’s queen. No matter what the defender did, the only other trick for the defense was the ace of hearts. Making 11 tricks was worth 37.5 of the 38 matchpoints available.

2011 Tribune Media Services