The London Metropolitan Bridge Association’s annual Swiss Teams’ Tournament, which attracted 35 teams, was won in style by Roger O’Shea, ably assisted by most of the Hackett family.
There are a number of situations in bridge where we can’t afford to hesitate, or we’d give the game away. The only thing to rely on in these circumstances is the experience we have gained over the years.
Multiple World Champion Paul Hackett has more experience than most of us put together, and here he made use of a good rule of thumb: if you’re offered a chance to over-ruff, it’s often right to refuse.
The fireworks started early (see diagram). This was only the second board of the event.
Paul was sitting West and his lead of a top spade was ruffed in dummy.
Declarer avoided the trap of laying down the ace of trumps, after which the contract can’t be made, and instead followed another good rule — that of establishing your side suit first. He cashed the ♣A and ruffed a club with the queen of hearts. Now if Paul over-ruffs, the defence is over, and if he thinks about it he gives the situation away, equally fatal. The only play to give the defence any chance is to refuse to over-ruff without a flicker. South can of course still take the heart finesse, but the risk of losing to the bare King and suffering a club ruff with the ♥8 is obvious. Instead Declarer understandably played a trump to dummy’s Ace, and found, like so many others, that he had been fooled by another great defence from Paul, and that there was no way home.
Another feather in Paul’s cap and an early indication of victory. Well done!
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in