Kids At Sixes And Sevens
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday August 28, 1999
When uproarious laughter is heard from time to time from other tables of the event you are in, it is fair to assume the dealing computer has come up with at least one weird one in this set. East's 7-6 distribution was indeed the cause of the commotion on a deal from the world junior championships:
East dealer; N/S vul.
Opening lead: HQ.
* Extreme minor two-suiter.
When US II met Italy, the US pair did reasonably in theory to stop at the five-level, given the wasted values in West's good hand, but six or seven can be made as the cards lie.
The Italians settled for the same contract when the board hit their table but did even better by managing to get doubled:
Mirth all round, and a few shushes from neighbouring matches, when neither of the defence's aces made a trick. Both declarers chalked up 12 tricks, 950 versus 600 converting to eight imps to Italy.
Strangely, on the long and dusty road, I have seen more 7-6's in the imperfect shuffling world of rubber bridge than in tournaments. Critics of computer programs should please take note.
The common denominator is that the hand rates to shine in the auction, either by playing it cool or otherwise. Ruffing the opponents' aces is nasty for them but sadistically enjoyable for you.
© 1999 Sydney Morning Herald