Unholy

Hi all

Something went wrong when I updated my WordPress to version 2.7 Coltrane. I need to update my theme, clean up some old code and prepare for a switch of host. In the end all will be nice and fun. Currently I’m trying out the Hybrid theme by Justin Tadlock. It’s a tad sober but stylish, and it functions pretty robust. Though there are still a couple of css-thingies I have to hammer out.

Martin visited Berkeley a couple of weeks ago. We had planned to participate in the Sacramento sectional, but it got canceled due to a family emergency in our second pair. So we decided to visit a Sunday game in Oakland.

I still have nightmares about this deal. Waking up some unholy hour, I’m soaking in my own sweat.

North
83
A5
KQJT73
KT7

South
KJ9
KQT63
6
AQ64

West
North
East
South
pass
1
pass
1
1
2
2
3NT
a.p.
 
 
 

I agree my jump to 3NT isn’t very scientific, but with my stack and point surplus I thought 3NT would be easier. West kicked off with a small (and encouraging) East winning the trick with the Ace. West won the second rounds of with his Queen and I took the third round with my King.

Here’s my train of thought:
– The suit splits 5-3.
– The opponents have the Ace of as a sure entry.
– West has bid his without the Ace, so he’s my candidate for holding the other pointed Ace.
– Ergo I cannot get off lead else I will be set one trick.
– What other options do I have…? Maybe the suit is worth five tricks, together with three tricks and my King makes nine.

So that’s what I did, I cashed three rounds of finding out Mr. West is holding four of them. Nasty!

I have one final option, and that’s if East holds the Ace of . When I played my small  towards dummy West follows suit with a small one. Sure sure, stop teasing me! But to my surprise East gains the trick with the Ace. Huh? And now heaven came crashing down on me. Darkness absolute! East had another , overtaken by West who sets my 3NT with a diabolical Jack of . Am I going insane?

West Dealer
NS Vul
North
83
A5
KQJT73
KT7
West
QT74
J874
84
952
East
A652
92
A952
J83
South
KJ9
KQT63
6
AQ64

 
So I dug my own grave by cashing three rounds of . West was really out to get me, bidding his meager four card suit accompanied by a whole Jack in one of the opponent’s suits. But it worked, I was the lone soul that went down in this cold contract.

Happy holidays, y’all!