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Saints
and Sinners : The St.Titus Bridge Challenge
by David Bird and Tim Bourke
$14.95 available from
Baron
Barclay
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Even as an unabashed fan of the Abbot
series of books, I can wholeheartedly recommend Saints and Sinners
the seventh in the line whether to those already converted or to
those taking their first steps in the faith !
For the uninitiated this book charters
the bridge playing exploits of the Abbot and the rest of the monastery
from the novices Brother Cameron and Brother Damien to the rest
of the first team Brother Xavier, Brother Lucius and Brother Paulo
whether playing in the Hampshire League, the Gold Cup or in the
annual match with St.Hilda's Convent for the Martyr's Platter.
This is a very easy book to read
whether in small doses or immersed for hours. David Bird writing
with Tim Bourke have also varied the format from previous works
in adding quizzes to the book giving readers the opportunity to
solve play hands in advance of their appearance in the book.
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The hands chosen are both interesting and
instructive without being too outrageous or out of the ordinary. By way
of example is the following hand :
East-West Vulnerable
Dealer North
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K Q 4 |
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Q J |
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K Q 6 |
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A Q J 9 2 |
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9 7 6 5 3 |
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A J 10 8 |
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A 10 6 |
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3 |
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A 4 |
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10 9 8 7 5 |
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K 5 4 |
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10 8 7 |
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2 |
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K 9 8 7 5 4 2 |
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J 3 2 |
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6 3 |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| The Abbot |
Sr.Thomas |
Bro.Xavier |
Sr.Grace |
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1 |
Pass |
1 |
| Pass |
3 NT |
Pass |
4 |
| All Pass |
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With
his K unlikely
to pull much weight, under the club bidder, the Abbot opted for an aggressive
lead. He led the A
and persisted with a second round of the suit. Sister Grace unblocked
dummy's king on the first round and won the second round with the jack.
The lead was almost certainly from a doubleton and it seemed she would
run into an adverse ruff if East held either of the major-suit aces. What
could be done about it?
Since the club finesse would be needed
in any case, Sister Grace played a club to the queen at Trick 3. When
this card won the trick she continued with the ace of clubs. An opportunity
to reduce the risk of a diamond ruff had arisen. "Play the jack
of clubs, will you?" she said.
Sister Grace discarded her singleton Spade
on the J. The
Abbot won the trick with the king but there was now no route to his partner's
hand. Declarer lost a further trick to the ace of trumps but that was
all.
This book is good value. Paperback,
192 pages. A good read for any level of bridge player.
Andrew Southwell The
Bridge-Forum International web site
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