Seeking solace, Star GCT part 1

Hi all

Last Sunday Star organized the 15th edition of their Grand Cafe Tour. Together with Frank "Vindaloo" I hopped from bar to bar playing games against a colourful melange of opposition. I really enjoyed the tournament a lot, resulting in a fine score of 61.26% (rank 23 out 250 pairs). But on Monday morning I had a hangover of mythic proportions. Did I enjoy too much beer? Well, not really, but let’s keep it at that.

All cheerful light has been barred from me. In darkness I dwell, seeking sweet, sweet solace. For I am the palooka killer. Behold!

I pass first hand and Frank opens in third hand with 2. That’s either weak with or some strong hand. I wait patiently with 2 and now Frank surprises me with a natural and strong 2. Wow! Do I have a gigantic fit. I can either splinter in or show my happiness with 3. I choose the latter and Frank cooperates with a 3 cue. I cue 4 and Frank completes the picture with a cue. The grand could still be on, but I have done enough, I jump to 6.

Frank ruffed the lead and I fell from my chair. Huh? What? He drew one round of trumps, crossed to dummy with his precious 6 of , and took a double finesse in losing to West’s Jack. Now West solved all problems by returning a . Frank could develop that suit without losing any tricks, and he had another entry to dummy to repeat the finesse in . Resulting in twelve tricks. Ugly slam, but we were very happy with +980.

First we analyzed you have to start with a to the Queen and then exit with a small . East is thrown in now and has to open up the suit or give a ruff and sluff. But East can shine by inserting the King of the first round, then there is no throw in anymore.