Opatija 2014: A Secret Weapon

52nd European Teams Championships

Opatija, Croatia • 21 June – 1 July 2014

Results, On-line Scores & Bulletins LiveBridge.net

Sunday June 29 2014

This Sunday in Opatija began the final stage of the 52nd European Open Bridge Teams Championship. The teams that arrived to the final, received these carryovers:

After the first three matches (with six matchs to play), the first 6 teams that qualified for the 2015 World Cup in Chennai India were: Monaco, Germany, Israel, Norway, England and France.

This is a board from the second round of the final, which didnt generate many swings because at almost every table the teams played the same contract: 3NT one down, but it leaves some lessons for those players who cling to rules. Lets see what happened in the match where Ireland defeated England 25-21.

 Board 9

Hanlon (IRL) opened 1= 11 – 13 BAL or 17+ points. McGann showed his balanced hand with no majors with a 3NT bid and North’s pass indicated a balanced, 11 to 13.

Gold led the K and when declarer played a diamond, he won with his ace and run his spades for one down.

At the other table, Forrester (ENG) opened 1 = 5+ or 4441 (<17) and his partner Robson said 2 (inverted minors). Now was Carrol time..and as he was thinking these were BBO comments:

athene: west has a familiar dilemma, does he double to get all the suits into the game, or overcall for the lead? if North is just about to bid 3NT you wish you had bid 2. Yes, after opponents have had an inverted minor auction, you don’t expect your side to have a good contract without a lot of shape so you are looking to help the defence really

djneill:  hmm, was West actually thinking of buying this contract somewhere?  I would try 2 for the lead.

jesperdall:  I’d bid 2 any day

The auction recommenced with a Double by Carroll who had evidently acted completely different as indicated by the commentators. North passed, and Garvey showed his hearts. Robson expecting the defense had at most fourth majors (because of West’s double) said 2NT, limiting his hand and indicating stoppers in the unbid suits. Forrester closed the game in 3NT.

And now appeared Carroll’s secret weapon, he led his K…developing 4 spade tricks, when he still had the A, for one down.

 Would have N / S played 3NT after hearing 2 instead of double by West? This was the discussion among the commentators:

jesperdall: So his plan worked splendidly!

djneill: Wonder if they would end up in 5 if 2 was bid, which makes

jesperdall: Had he bid spades, NS may well have ended up in 5

athene: very difficult, two balanced hands and a stopper…but i agree, after an overcall, you are much more worried about 3NT, because you know you are getting hit with a lead from a 5-card suit

djneill: Robson was hoping for blockage or 4-3 spades, more likely than 5-2 spades and the A

athene: After a double you hope the defence only have 4-card suits so even if they get in and cash one, that may just be 3 tricks and their entry

jesperdall: Without a spade bid, we all end up in 3NT

This is what happened in all the tables:

Table	Home Team	Visiting Team	Room	Cont.	Decl.	Lead	NS	EW
1	NORWAY	BULGARIA	Open	3NT	S	K		50
			Closed	3NT	S	Q		50
2	ROMANIA	MONACO	Open	3NT	N	8	430
			Closed	3NT	N	9		50
3	GERMANY	ITALY	Open	3NT	S	K		50
			Closed	3NT	N	K		50
4	NETHERLANDS	RUSSIA	Open	3NT	N	6	400
			Closed	5	S	K	400
5	SWEDEN	POLAND	Open	3NT	S	K		50
			Closed	5	N	3	400
6	TURKEY	FRANCE	Open	3NTx	N	3		100
			Closed	3NT	N	9	400
7	CROATIA	ISRAEL	Open	3NT	S	K		50
			Closed	5	N		400
8	ENGLAND	IRELAND	Open	3NT	S	K		50
			Closed	3NT	S	Q		50
9	ESTONIA	DENMARK	Open	3NT	S	Q		50
			Closed	5	N	4	400