Aggressive and Fun... Bridge

by  Ana Roth  y Fernando Lema

 

 

 June 2011: The 2011 USWBC is selecting the two USA teams for the 2011 Venice Cup, to be held in Veldhoven, the Netherlands October 15-29, 2011.

 

 Semifinals: MOSS Team : Moss-Radin, zur Campanile-Stansby  vs  JOEL Team: Joel-Sokolow, Molson-Rosenberg, Levin-Meyers

 

 Open Room: N/S zur Campanile-Stansby y E/O Levin-Meyers          Closed Room: N/S Joel-Sokolow y E/O Moss-Radin

 

 Second set:  The second set begun Moss 40 - Joel 14. The first hand was a push, same contract, same result, but in the second hand the first differences of opinion appeared.

 

 With:  A 10 7 3 K 6 4 9 7 2  A K 3 , in the Open Room, Radin opened 1NT...and three passes ended the bidding...she lost 2 hearts & 2 diamonds, making 3...+150. In the other room, Levin preferred a 1 opening bid, South doubled and North became the declarer of a 2 contract...2 down. 2 IMPs for Joel.

 

 Next hand:  Dealer: S, E/W: vul

9 10 8 5 4 3 A K J 10 5 7 3

J 10 8 2 K Q J 9 8 4 K 6 2

7 5 A 9 7 6 2 Q 6 Q 10 9 4

A K Q 6 4 3  7 3 2 A J 8 5

 

West	North	East	South
			1
Pass	1NT	Pass	2
Pass	2*	Pass	2
All Pass

* alerted

  In the audience, Michael Kamil, a USA1's Open Teams Category player commented about this hand: "The Funny part is that this hand is best played in diamonds, the only suit never really mentioned"...Another commentator added: "Without the convention, North would bid 2, and South would feel far more bullish", to what Michael added: "Natural bidders would be far better off here. So note to all spectators....there ARE hands where natural bidding prevails!!"

 

 In the other table:

West	North	East	South
			1
Pass	1NT	Pass	2
Pass	2	Pass	3
Pass	5	All Pass

 

 6 IMPs for Joel plus a well done from Michael Kamil.

 

 Hand 22, Dealer: E, E/W: vul

K 7 6 5 K Q Q 9 7 6 5 A 9

 As they weren't vulnerable only 6 IMPs for Moss.

 

 Hand 23, was the only double digit swing of the match: Dealer: S, All vul,

Q 9 4 2 Q 8 7 6 3 2 Q 9 2

 In the close Room, Joel in South opened 1, West passed and North closed the contract in 4.  made...+450

 

 In the Open Room... the bidding:

 

West	North	East	South
			1
Pass	4	Pass	Pass
Double	Pass	4NT*	Pass
5	Pass	Pass	5
Pass	Pass	Double	All Pass

 

 With a club lead, East took her 3 aces.

 

  John Swanson and Michael Kamil closed the match with this words: A quick recap of the match...everyone opens every 11 point hand...and some 10s and John Swanson added: These deals have been very tame - it's only the aggressive bidding by the participants that have made them lively.