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FEEL THE HEAT….

2018 Bridge started early in the “Deep South” with 43 pairs crammed into the Alexandra Bridge Club to contest the Holiday Pairs, a  two evening affair, January 5/6th.  Auckland’s Jeff Thompson made his annual pilgrimage to play with his cobber Paul Jacobson.

Another dozen players travelled down from Canterbury to swelter in the heat.  I understand the Central Otago wines are one of the main attractions for the pilgrimage.

Paula Gregory and Michael Johnstone had a strong second  night performance on the Saturday to jump 7 places to  win the Tournament comfortably. Graeme Stout combined well with James Coutts to finish second.

Matching Deep Finesse

Fergus More (NZ Bridge’s  honorary  lawyer) asked me how to play A9xx opposite Q8xx  for one loser where  KJx sits over the queen and 10x in the other hand.

                                                                                                North

                                                                                                A954

                                                                West                                                     East

                                                                KJ6                                                         107

                                                                                                South

                                                                                                Q832

The deal arose on a club night in Invercargill last year. The solution is to play from low the North to the 8 first. Next play the queen towards the ace. This pins the 10 when covered  or otherwise you run the Queen. Only Deep Finesse comes up with plays like this. The usual play on this layout is to lay down the Ace (the king may be on its own). Then play towards the queen. The king may pop or you might duck hoping to find Kx off side in the West hand. ( if you know West holds the king, then Moss’ recommended line is feasible in practice too.)

Silver for Anne

Invercargill hosted the Otago Southland Swiss Pairs on January 20th. This 10A event saw 32 pairs battle it out over 9 x eight board rounds. One bad score in an 8 board match is usually curtains. With the pressure on, the event went down to the wire. Anne Somerville and Moss Wylie nudged ahead of Graeme Stout and James Coutts in the final round to win the tightly contested tournament. Bruce Batchelor and Greg Buzzard finished third.

Johnny Davidson from  Wellington played with Pavia Fenwick of Christchurch to finish 4^th. They both took time to explore the southern coastline, trekking the 20 Km to Port Craig (part of the Hump Ridge track). The views are divine, with plenty of swimming beaches on the way. Johnny was in heaven.

Anne Somerville played great bridge, enabling her enough master points to reach the rank of Sliver Grand Master. Excellent stuff and well done.

New Silver Grand Master, Anne Somerville flanked by Moss Wylie and an
unseasonal polar bear in Invercargill.

Consistency wins the day

Finally the Otago Bridge Club saw 34 pairs turn up for their annual Festival Pairs. The cost was kept down with people bring their own lunch. Frances Hodgkins Retirement Village generously sponsored the tournament. Lindsay Gunn completed her third tournament directing for the year incident free.

Paul Freeland and Margaret Perley had an excellent first set with 61% only to be pipped at the post by Invercargill pair Kay Shand and Marilyn Jackson who finished stronger. This was a great reward for their consistent performance.

Mayilyn Jackson and Kaye Shand

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