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John in conversation with Derek Frapwell and Bob Scott.

Just a Chance.

The passing of Alan Turner and John Wignall have made this a week of reflection and remembrance. In the last two days, we have remembered two stories about boards played by Alan Turner. Today it is John Wignall’s turn. In 1994 and 2008 in New Zealand Bridge Magazine, he reflected that the following was right up there with his favourite deals.

 

John commented that he and Kris were on different wavelengths as to the meaning of 5. West led the K.

What inferences can you draw from the bidding and opening lead which might help you to make this difficult contract?

6 would seem to be a more straightforward contract but there was no point in having such thoughts. Apparently, at the other table, the Mexican declarer was in the same contract as John and after muttering a few choice words in Spanish, ruffed the opening lead in dummy and quickly lost 4 tricks to be 3 down!

 
   John and Kris celebrate a success being part of the winning Victor Champion 
   Cup team in Melbourne, in 2008. 

John was more circumspect. He reasoned that the opponents held 15 hcp with the opening lead (K) and East’s double of 4 (surely the A) placed the remaining high cards with West, the opening bidder. Furthermore, West had length in diamonds (he bid the suit twice) and therefore both major suit queens might well be short.
So, he ruffed the opening lead and played AK with the queen falling from West on the second round. Next he played A with the Q singleton from West appearing again from West. These were the four hands:

 

He needed two club tricks and so then made the key play of KQ before East could discard a club. Next came three more rounds of hearts with East having to follow. John had 9 tricks with these cards remaining:

John played 8 with East ruffing but John discarded a club from his hand. East played A (playing a trump would give John the remaining tricks easily) which John ruffed in dummy to play dummy’s last heart. East was powerless as John had two further winners whether or not East ruffed.

Slam made. Never in doubt! Well, that is not true but showed what can be achieved by applying oneself and having a positive attitude.
As John put it: “There are a lot of lessons in this hand. If you reach a silly contract, do not say a word. Don’t cheer up the opponents and don’t upset your partner. Save your energy for working out how best to get something out of the deal. Then, if you see a chance, take it.”

He also said “It is the sort of deal that makes you want to go on playing forever.” He certainly did.

Another deal for JIN Club members tomorrow.

Richard Solomon

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