Big Slam Magazine - Flipbook - Page 82
Late night copy from Michael …
On this deal, only three declarers made 5[x.
One in the open Butler; one in the Mixed Butler;
one in the Swiss pairs A.
Joan Butts in the Open Butler received the lead
of the ]A, as did Therese DeMarco in the SPA,
and both assembled 11 tricks relatively easily.
At my table Mauritz van der Vlugt led the {K (for
count) Dagmar Neumann guessed it was from
the ace and pitched a spade.
Now perhaps a diamond switch will prevail (with
East ruffing any club from dummy).
A club continuation will fail. East ruffs to
uppercut - but declarer succeeds by establishing
clubs! Overruff, then [A; spade ruff, club ruff, diamond to dummy, club ruff (setting up the suit)
then pitch spades on diamonds and the top club..
Mauritz tried the [K at trick two - [A, spade ruff,
three top diamonds discarding a spade; club
from dummy ruffed with Easts remaining trump but now I threw my last spade and claimed.
A diamond (count, as partner requested) discard
might lead West to shift to a diamond. Then 5[
must fail.
At all other tables (9 in both Butlers) declarer
failed on a top club lead. Presumably because
East ruffed and returned a trump, but there is no
way of telling. There is no record of play… Once
again, as after (a) contracted illness (b) accidents travelling (c) insufficient bids (d) revokes - I
must observe - THAT WOULDN'T HAVE
HAPPENED IF WE PLAYED ONLINE.