Plunge

Hi all

Back in the US of A. My trip to The Netherlands was great but exhausting. Sleeping in different beds several nights in a row, cram visits to friends, family and old colleagues into small windows of time, oh, and did I mention “De Zaak” had Pauwel Kwak on draught. I fear that I’ve gained some difficult to lose weight.

Here’s a deal from a clubnight in Rotterdam. Rekindling my partnership with René (North) for a couple of hours. He didn’t let me down, for there was enough spectacle.

South Dealer
All Vul
North
KQJ94
AJ62
KT72
West
J976532
T8
K953
East
AKT84
752
Q8
Q54
South
Q
A63
T74
AJ9863
West
North
East
South
 
 
 
11
pass
1
1
2
32
63
pass
pass
… 6
Double
a.p.
 
  1. Natural 4+ , or 15-19 balanced
  2. Explained as invitational with trump support
  3. Blammo!

West sure took a timid approach valueing his hand, just 3 with seven trumps and a void? After René heard the explanation of 3 he announced a skip bid that felt well-acquainted. I have a couple of fond memories of René ruthlessly blasting to slam without enquiries. West took a few deep breaths before taking the plunge, he sacrificed in 6. We extracted a +500 penalty from that. 

The score sheet was … colourful. Pairs making 7, down in 7, 6 doubled with an overtrick or just making, down in 6, 6 doubled down two and one happy-go-lucky EW pair that got to declare 4 doubled.