This deal is from the
teams finals of the Yorkshire Congress in June.
South (Henry Bissell) opened one heart (does anyone remember Acol twos?). When West overcalled three diamonds that spoiled North's (Nicholas Greer) plan of bidding four diamonds to show a void splinter in support of hearts. Nicholas bid four diamonds anyway, but it now showed a real game raise to four hearts (i.e. some values). East raised to five diamonds and Henry bid the spade control. When Nicholas was able to show a first round control in diamonds Henry only needed the spade queen or club king in North's hand to ensure the grand, so he bid it confidently. In the other room Karen Reissmann and Irene Davies sacrificed in six diamonds doubled to lose 800 but gain 16 IMPs on the board. Only two of twenty four pairs reached the grand slam. |