BRIDGE
Classic subterfuge
Susanna Gross
IT CAME as no surprise to learn the other day that 'Nasty Nick', whose duplicitous behaviour on Big Brother won him such renown, is a keen bridge player. Nick — a member of Andrew Robson's club in Par- son's Green — displayed all the attributes of a gifted player on the show: a ruthless determination to win, a clear strategy, and, above all, great deceptive skills.
Deception is a vital part of bridge and, so I'm told, it makes Nick Bateman a tricksy opponent at the table. This week's hand, in which I was bamboozled by my friend Neil Mendoza, involved a classic subterfuge that Nick would have been proud of: Dealer South Neither side vulnerable 4 A Q J 10
✓ 7 6 ♦ 10 9 6 2 # J 8 7
4 7 6 4 V K 10 8 5
♦ K 3 2
4
♦ 9 8 3 2 J 9 4 5 4 W
N
E # A K 10 4 • K 5 ♦ A Q 3 ♦ A Q J 8 7 + 5 3 2
The Bidding South West North East
110 pass 14 pass 1NT pass 2NT pass 3NT pass pass pass Against Neil's 3NT contract, I kicked off with the V5. Despite my friendly lead, Neil saw that, if the diamone finesse was not working, a switch to clubs would almost certainly defeat the contract. So, instead of winning with the ♦Q, he won with the VA! He then crossed to dummy's 4Q and ran the ♦10. I won with the •K and, con- vinced that my partner held the VQ, con- tinued with a heart. To my horror, Neil won with his VQ, and triumphantly laid his hand on the table, claiming an overtrick.
From now on, be calling him Nasty Neil.
# Q 9 6
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