Bridge | 24 January 2013

It took more than total white-out and Heathrow closing its doors to deter 200 avid bridge players from making their way to Hinckley for the National Swiss Teams, probably the most popular event in the EBU calendar. The format is two days playing 13 matches and the best team usually wins. This year the best team was led by the nicest man in the room, Martin Jones, who was ahead from almost the first match and never wavered. Martin played with Neil Rosen and their teammates were Michael Byrne and Duncan Happer, all of whom must have played a blinder as they stormed to victory.

Here is Martin declaring 4♥, in the unusual position of having a choice of which hapless opponent to throw in:

The opponents had shown both their suits and West led his singleton Spade, won by declarer’s Ace. Two rounds of trumps cleared those, and a small Club towards dummy saw West grab the King and exit with another club.