posted October 2009

Money GIB Tournament

How good are the GIB's?

Bd: 15 Dlr: South Vul: NS North S Q4 H K107542 D A62 C 84 West East S A107 S KJ953 H Q963 H 8 D 874 D 1093 C AQ9 C J1063 South S 862 H AJ D KQJ5 C K752 West North East South GIB W GIB N GIB E newmoon Pass 1C 1H 1S Pass 1NT Pass 2C 2H Pass Pass Dbl Pass 3C 3H Pass Pass Pass Trick 1: CJ CK CA C8 Trick 2: CQ C4 C3 C5 Trick 3: SA S4 S9 S2 Trick 4: ST SQ SK S6 Trick 5: SJ S8 S7 H2

If East returned a diamond at trick 5, the contract could have been defeated.

These cards remain now:

North S - H K10754 D A62 C - West East S - S 53 H Q963 H 8 D 874 D 1093 C 9 C 106 South S - H AJ D KQJ5 C 72

You are book. Hearts are trumps and it is North to play.

QUIZ: How do you make all the tricks?

Solution:

You may question why South passed as dealer. The reason is simple: The format is "Best Hand South" and opening each hand with minimum opening points usually leads to a part score - a waste. Rather wait for partner to open then jump to game, or open with a strong hand.

First, play A-J. It matters not whether West covers. Say he does. Now a diamond to dummy (South) and ruff a club to shorten your trumps to the same as West's. Now A-Q.

North S - H 107 D - C - West East S - H 96 Immaterial D - C - South S - H - D J C 7

Play any card from South and West surrenders. You have successfully trump-couped West.

I was most impressed watching my GIB partner play the hand this way!