Round 13.
Our last round opponents were Lynn Deas-Curtis Cheek.
Board 15. NS vul. Dealer S.
J42
97
J62
KT653
KT Q975
AQJ86 K543
83 AT9
J942 Q8
A863
T2
KQ754
A7
N E S W
1D 1H
p 2D p 2H
p p p
There was really nothing to the bidding and play to this hand, but it took the
three forever to finish the hand. Deas and Cheek played very very slow.
By that time the score with 2 rounds to go had been posted, and it was right
behind me. Lots of players were watching and the room was in chaos.
In that chaos we started the last board of the qualifying day:
Board 16. EW vul. Dealer W.
5
QJ63
K963
KJ73
KQ983 T62
T842 A5
5 AQ42
Q42 AT96
AJ74
K94
JT87
85
N E S W
p
p 1N p 2H*
p 2S p p
x p p p
I opened a 15-17 NT on 3rd seat and Fred transferred. Cheek made a balancing
double. So far so good. I contemplated if it is necessary to preempt to 3S but
rejected that idea. The chance of them making 4H is low with my 3A's.
The matter took an unexpected turn when Deas chose to pass. That made me very
happy as my 14 count hand plays best in S.
Deas led a DJ -- even better to my Q. Now my contract is not in any jeopardy.
I ran the ST and played another to 9. Deas won the 3rd round of trumps with
the A.
By then another good thing happened. On the trump Cheek pitched C2, upside
down. So Deas led a C to the J and my A. I have control of every suit so I can
afford to ruff a D in dummy and pull the last trump. Then I set up the C for
my 9th and 10 trick. 2Sx+2 for an unusual +1070, and all the matchpoints.