BRIDGE
The young lead
Andrew Robson
WHILST the British Open Team finished a disappointing 14th (out of 32) in the recent European Championships, our Junior team has just won the World Under 25 Championships. Having led the round robin stages from start to finish, they easily defeated New Zealand in the final. Our most experienced partnership is the 24 year old Hackett twins, Jason and Justin. Justin won the prize for the best played hand of the tournament: Dealer West ble Both Sides Vulnera- The Bidding
South West North East
Pass 111 Pass 14 Pass 34 Pass 44 All Pass West led •K to the 44 contract and Justin ducked in dummy; East played 43 to discourage, but Justin craftily followed with 46. This confused West into think- ing his partner might be encouraging the diamond lead with •J32, and he contin- ued with *Q. Justin won *A and played a spade to the jack and West's ace. West played a third diamond; Justin won •J, crossed to 4() and led 4J off the dummy. When East failed to cover, he deduced that West was likely to have +Q. Given that, in addition, he had already shown 4A and •KQ making 11 points, the VA and VJ were marked with East — even VJ would give West 12 points and an opening bid — he had passed as dealer. Justin crossed to 4K and led V10; when East played low, so did Justin. He subsequently lost VA but made his contract. To defeat the contract, West must switch to V9 at trick two which East must duck; when he wins 4A, West can return his remaining heart and get a third round ruff.
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