The ACBL’s thrice-yearly “North American” Championships attract player from all over the world. In a deal (reported by Barry Rigal) from a match in the Spingold Teams, the main event at this year’s Summer NABC, West was Jerzy Romanowski of France. His opponents were from England.
When South opened one spade, Romanowski had a solid 1NT overcall. North passed though he might have risked a penalty double. East’s two diamonds was a transfer to hearts. Then South rebid two spades despite his subminimum in high cards, and North’s raise to three placed more faith in his partner’s bidding than was warranted.
West led a high club, winning. What would you have led next?
HIGH HEARTS
Romanowski shifted to the king of diamonds. On the bidding, he was sure that declarer had the singleton ace of hearts, so it was vital to kill dummy’s entry to the high hearts before declarer could unblock. Against that defense, South had to lose five tricks.
Romanowski’s play was a “Merrimac coup,” the sacrifice of a high card to ruin declarer’s communications.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A K 2 H 10 2 D K 10 9 5 4 C A K 3. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You double, your partner responds (“advances”) one spade, you bid two diamonds and partner bids two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your double followed by a bid of two diamonds promised a hand worth at least 17 points. (With less strength and a diamond suit, you would have overcalled instead.) Pass. Your partner has long spades but promises no points. With QJ964,765,A2,542, he could have jumped to three spades at his second turn.
South dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S 6 5
H K Q 9 8 5
D A 8 7 3
C 9 2
WEST
S A K 2
H 10 2
D K 10 9 5 4
C A K 3
EAST
S 9 3
H J 7 6 4 3
D J 2
C J 7 6 5
SOUTH
S Q J 10 8 7 4
H A
D Q 6
C Q 10 8 4
South West North East
1 S 1 NT Pass 2 D
2 S Pass 3 S(!) All Pass
Opening lead – C K
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