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Daily Bulletin Number 2

Round 2 - Open Series
Reunion v Egypt

Reunion were certainly not blessed with an easy start to the championship. Having been blown away by South Africa in the first round they had to face the other main contender, the host nation Egypt, in the second round.

The Egyptians were on form, playing a generally aggressive game that brought in plenty of points.

Board 9
E/W Vul
Dealer North

			J 9 5 2
			9 7 5 4
			J 3
			10 7 6
	8 7 6	N W E S			-
	A J 3				K 8 6 2
	K 10 9 5 4				Q 8 7 6 2
	A J				Q 9 8 5
			A K Q 10 4 3
			Q 10
			A
			K 4 3 2

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Sadek	Vatinelle	Ahmady	Giraud
	Pass	Pass	1
Pass	2	Pass	4
All Pass

Having passed, it was fairly normal for North to raise his partner's third in hand opening. That was enough for South to go on to game, but there was no way to make the contract. As you can see East/West can make a lot of tricks in diamonds.

It would take a very brave, no make that foolhardy, West to overcall Two Diamonds with only a five card suit, but there are some players who would double on the East cards.
If East did double, South would still go to game, but now West would be in a position to choose between a double and Five Diamonds.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Telegone	Kourdy	Vidal	Salib
	Pass	Pass	1
Pass	3	Pass	4
All Pass

There was no realistic way for East-West to get involved this time, but there was no swing.

Both sides also missed the boat on the next deal.

			K 9 5 4
			9 8 7 2
			J 10 3
			10 9
	-	N W E S			Q J 10 3
	A K 10 6 4 3				-
	A K Q 9 8				6 5 4
	J 2				A K Q 8 4 3
			A 8 7 6 2
			Q J 5
			7 2
			7 6 5

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Sadek	Vatinelle	Ahmady	Giraud
		1	1
2	2	3	Pass
3	Pass	3NT	Pass
4	Pass	5	Pass
6	All Pass

The VuGraph audience could see many ways for their favourites to reach the Grand Slam. West could bid 5NT- assuming that East is only allowed to bid a direct Seven Clubs with all three top honours.

Some players would have been able to jump to Four Spades with the West cards, using it as Exclusion Key Card Blackwood. Perhaps if West had bid Five Spades, rather than Six Clubs, East would have been able to go on to Seven Clubs.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Telegone	Kourdy	Vidal	Salib
		Pass	Pass
1	Pass	2	Pass
3	Pass	3NT	Pass
5	Pass	6	All Pass

As we go to press the auction is something of a mystery.

			A 2
			7 3 2
			A K 9 5
			10 9 7 5
	K 10 9 6 4	N W E S			Q 8 5 3
	-				K J 6 5
	J 10 8 7 6 4				Q 3 2
	Q 8				K 3
			J 7
			A Q 10 9 8 4
			-
			A J 6 4 2

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Sadek	Vatinelle	Ahmady	Giraud
			1
Pass	1NT	Pass	3
Pass	4	Pass	4
Pass	4NT	Pass	5
Pass	6	All Pass

North probably did too much but he did have good controls and four card trump support. Perhaps South was wrong to jump to Three Clubs?

Six Clubs can be made, but is virtually certain to fail in practice and so it proved, East/West collecting three tricks via the queen of clubs, a heart ruff and a heart.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Telegone	Kourdy	Vidal	Salib
			1
Pass	1NT	Pass	2
Pass	3	Pass	4
Pass	4	Pass	4
All Pass

A well controlled auction to a sensible spot gave Egypt one of several double figure swings.

			K 7 2
			K 7 5
			K 7 5 4 2
			8 3
	A 10 9 8 6 5 4 3	N W E S			-
	Q				A J 9 8 6 4
	A 9 8 3				Q J 6
	-				A K Q 9
			Q J
			10 3 2
			10
			J 10 7 6 5 4 2

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Sadek	Vatinelle	Ahmady	Giraud
4	All Pass

By opening Four Spades, West took away all possible danger, although with a control in all the other suits the bid, was not entirely risk free.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Telegone	Kourdy	Vidal	Salib
1	Pass	2	Pass
4	Pass	5	Pass
5	Pass	6	All Pass

If East believed West had a solid suit for his jump to game, then the auction is easy to understand.

It was another big pick up for Egypt who duplicated the feat of the South Africans by collecting their second maximum 25VP.