Eight Plus Two Equals Eleven On Actuarial Formula
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 23, 2001
Mike Hughes is a Sydney-based international and an actuary by profession. He is currently a member of the Neill team, which is one of three teams eligible to compete in the playoff next April for the right to represent Australia at the 2001 Bermuda Bowl in Bali in November.
Hughes reached a tight three no-trumps on this deal from the South West Pacific Teams in Canberra last month:
South dealer; E/W vulnerable.
West North East South
-- -- -- 1D*
Pass 1H** Pass 1NT***
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass -- -- --
* catch-all, 10-14 points
**relay
***11-12 balanced
Opening lead: S8
This is not really a story about an actuary who had trouble adding-up. Hughes well knew that he didn't have 11 points, but fancied his two tens, so indulged in an upgrade. Against three no-trumps, George Jesner, a Scottish international and long-time Canberra resident, led his fourth-highest spade. When East's queen appeared, declarer correctly read it as a singleton and ducked. East didn't have a comfortable exit, and the play proceeded as follows:
2 Diamond 9 to the jack, 3 & 5.
3 Diamond 6 to the king.
4 Heart queen taken by East's king.
5 Heart ace.
6 Heart 7 to the jack.
7 Heart 8, East throwing a diamond.
8 Spade ace. East was now under pressure with his discards, and parted with a club.
Declarer had five tricks in, with three more in top cards, but one trick still needed for game in this position:
Declarer cashed the ace of diamonds and continued with the ten of diamonds, throwing East in with his queen. The forced club lead into dummy's tenace yielded the extra trick for game. Well played.
George Jesner's wife, Dorothy, also a fine player, is a member of
the ABF's Youth Committee, and is doing a sterling job to promote bridge in ACT schools. Her success should stimulate interest, and provide an example for some other State Associations around the country to follow.
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald