Gadsden Times – 1 May 1994 Needed the biggest sack by Phillip Alder
The American Contract Bridge League tracks the number of master points won by each of its members. In 1993 the greatest total was amassed by Jeff Mecketroth, who lives in Florida. He won 1.960 points, 88 more than second placed Paul Soloway.
Meckstroth is one of only six players to have won the three world titles: Bermuda Bowl, Open Pairs and Team Olympiad. He has a natural talent for the game, which you can appreciate if you watch him play. He is speedy and practical, using his excellent table presence to ferret out the lie of the cards.
Today’s deal is classic Meckstroth. It occurred during the final of the 1988 World Team Olympiad.
Meckstroth had to open one dia mond because one club would have been strong and artificial. North’s two clubs was fourth suit forcing, asking for more information. East was happy to double to ask for a club lead.
When East played the club jack at trick one, Meckshoth ducked. Back came a low club to South’s king. With only five tricks on the side and clubs wide open, Meckstroth had to bring in four heart tricks. And if East had the club length, West rated to have the heart length.
So declarer started with the heart jack, covered by the queen and king. Meckstroth cashed dummy’s heart ace, carefully unblocking his eight. Next came three rounds or diamonds ending in the South hand. Then Meckstroth led the heart four and after West played the six, finessed dummy’s seven. It held and the contract was home.