Janet de Botton

Bridge | 21 March 2013

issue 23 March 2013

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.

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