​The long weekend (112 boards for most) is over and the dust has settled and the winners emerge. Congratulations to those representing Central Districts in November.

Open = Charles Ker, Mark Noble, Arthur Bennett, Dennis Apperley. Women = Anita Thirtle, Anshu Prasad, Maree Cudby, Sandie Wright. Senior = Noel Woodhall, Ken Bateman, Don Nightingale, Robyn Nightingale. Int = Laura Griffin, Cindy Lowndes, Debbie Marcroft, Garry Hodge. Our own Wanganui players underlined. Well done to everyone who competed, and especially to those who won their grades.

Board: 3
Dealer: S
Vul: EW

                    ♠AQ92
                    ♥KJT
                    ♦T93
                    ♣T97
♠J3                                         ♠K54
♥63                                        ♥97542
♦AJ6542                                 ♦K8
♣J86                                      ♣A52
                   ♠T876
                   ♥AQ8
                   ♦Q7
                   ♣KQ43

What a lot of different scores this board received. Interestingly, I would have expected the board to be played in 1NT by S, with the result being 2 down - Score 100 to E/W. 

The bidding:
N      E      S      W
                1NT   P
P      P

South has 13 HCP and a balanced hand. West does not have enough points for a 2 level bid. North has only 10 HCP and no 5 card suit - so Pass. And East also has only 10 HCP and that heart suit is not good enough to bid, or to encourage partner to lead a heart.

The play: West should lead 5 of diamonds - fourth card from longest and strongest. East must play the King to 'unblock' for partner, and then return the 8 of diamonds. (Always return partner's suit, they will love you for it.) Now West takes four more diamond tricks for a total of 6 tricks so far. If you have discussed discards, East can afford a small spade to show they have the King, but it really doesn't matter what East plays so long as they keep the K of spades and a small spade to protect it, and keep that A of clubs. South will have to give you both no matter what else happens.

The only danger for East is if they win the AC before the spades have been played, in that case East must be careful to then lead any card BUT a spade.
​
Good bridging till next time, and if you have any questions on this deal or another simply write a comment  with the date played and the board number.

This year Wanganui is hosting this popular event on Sunday June 9th. If you are interested in a chance to represent our club - please enter your name on the form provided on the noticeboard.

This event is being held 11th and 12th May at the Wanganui Bridge Club. This is played as a teams event with several of our members having entered. Results will be available online.