Search MSO Worldwide

Celebrated Hands

Dealer East. Love All

			6
			Q J 10 7 5
			Q J 10 6 4
			9 8
	A K J 7 5				8 2
	A 2				K 9
	A K 2				9 7 5 3
	J 5 2				A K Q 10 3
			Q 10 9 4 3
			8 6 4 3
			8
			7 6 4

This was one of the most eventful hands in the EBU's Pro/Celebrity Challenge. When the former England cricket Captain Mike Gatting opened One Club, his partner David Bird responded Two Spades. Gatting, who was once bowled by one of the most amazing balls in history delivered by Australian leg spinner Shane Warne, this time missed a straight one when he passed!

The popular contract was 6NT, which made easily enough when the queen of spades proved to be onside. David Burn, partnering Liz Fraser, propelled himself to the giddy heights of 7NT! He had cunningly concealed his spade suit, and when he cashed his club winners, South obligingly discarded two of his spades!

Dealer South. East-West Game

			Q 7 5
			A 7 6 2
			A 10 7 6 5
			9
	10 9 3				K 8
	K J 10 5 4 3				9
	-				K 9 3
	A 7 4 3				K J 10 8 6 5 2
			A J 6 4 2
			Q 8
			Q J 8 4 2
			Q

West	North	East	South
Jackson	Robson	Horton	Mates
			1
Pass	2	3	3
Pass	6	All Pass

Kit Jackson led the ace of clubs, and switched to the three of spades. Michael Mates, a long-standing member of the House of Commons Bridge team, played low from dummy, and took the eight with the jack. It would have been a good move to lay down the ace of spades at this point, but he played the queen of diamonds, and West ruffed and exited with his remaining trump. Declarer won with ace, and played a diamond to the ace.

This was the second critical moment. Once again, cashing a major suit ace would have been a winning view. Once East's exit card has been removed, declarer can exit with a diamond to the king, and the forced return of a club will enable him to dispose of the queen of hearts whilst ruffing with dummy's remaining trump. When declarer played on diamonds first, East was able to exit safely with a heart and defeat the contract.

While the players were waiting for the draw for partners at the English Bridge Union's Pro/Celebrity Challenge in aid of Save the Children, Liz Fraser was heard to remark that she hoped she would get someone she knew, as long as it wasn't David Burn. Meanwhile in the opposite corner, David Burn was asked which celebrity he was hoping to draw. 'Anyone except Liz Fraser.' was his reply! Guess which two names came out of the hat together!