Yesterday we only had our two matches in the morning, so in the afternoon I went to the SportCenter. I like to exercise and eat a lot in hotels. Some of the England Juniors were playing darts, the Italians were at the swimming pool, Czechs in the gym and Swedes on yoga mats. I went on a broken rowing machine, which I reported to someone who looked like they were definitely not going to do anything about it.
In the evening we played cards. Every time I need to go somewhere in this hotel I often end up walking around most of the corridors to find it, and on my way I saw numerous groups playing numerous card games. I suppose that's how bridge players like to relax. The Spanish and Norwegians juniors had a big game of something with the cards in the middle. The Dutch and English seniors were playing board games, the French were at the bar. Lots watched a Bond Film in the auditorium (No Time to Die, good start but unconvincing romance, see my review here).
We Scots played a variety of (non-bridge) games, including American Joker, Rummy, Spoons, Hearts, Contract Whist and an unusual game of poker played with no chips. Bets were announced out loud then recorded by Jamie on a paper grid, before he got tired of doing that and Donald and Tamsin took over on a variety of calculators and spreadsheets. Some called the move to digital technology progress, some were anxious about things going wrong and preferred the old ways.
I spoke to the Scotland U31 team. They have made a good start and are currently sitting 9th out of 18, with the top 8 qualifying for the World Championship. Their pairs are Gints Freimanis & Glen Falconer, Jun Nakamaru-Pinder & Jake Milne, Liam O'Brien & Ronan Valentine. Today they are up against it with a tough day of France, Poland, Netherlands and Bulgaria.
Here is a deal from yesterday (Round 1 vs Spain) that foxed Gints and Glen:
North had a balanced 22 count so opened 2NT. South bid 3♣ Stayman, and when North gave a 3♦ negative signed off in 3NT. This has 3+2+3+5=13 top tricks, but you have to lose the Ace of Diamonds so accept 12 tricks. What you want is to find the Club fit, but that's never easy.
The result of 3NT= was duplicated in the other room (even though South opened a natural 1♣).
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In our first match of the day against France we got off to a worrying start when on the first board both Easts played in Spades. Our declarer made 7 tricks, theirs 10. However, I think the Scotland team are slow starters ad before long we were winning a few boards. And by winning, I mean the boards were flat, which I count as a win.
As I've told the team, if you play a strong side and get a flat board that means you are matching them in the bidding, play and defence, so that's a good result.
On this one the French North-South had no trouble getting to the best contract of 4S, presumably after a 2NT opening and transfer.
Our North Jack chose to open this 1♦, which is risky as partner might pass. But luckily Lydia as South evaluated her hand well and scraped up a 1♠ response. Jack reversed with 2♥, and Lydia rebid her Spades. At this point Jack jumped to 4♠, so we got there in the end, albeit played by South.
West led a Heart and Lydia was pleased to see a bumper dummy and wrap up 11 tricks. Note that if you don't get a Heart lead the best line is to play to cash a top trump or two then play set up the Diamonds.
This board was flat, but at the half way stage we were still 37-3 IMPs down. This was in large part due to a dubious 6♣ the French bid. We wisely stayed out of slam, but also stayed out of games so lost tricks when everyone made 12 tricks.
In the second half our side made some reasonable decisions that didn't work out. This was the most unlucky I thought:
Jack as North opened 1♥. Lydia as South saw her weak and flat ten-point hand and thought it only worth a 2♥ raise. Jack decided not to bid on so we stayed in the part score.
This could easily have four losers (a spade, a trump, two clubs), but in fact the good controls and trumps splitting 2-2 meant everyone made 10 tricks. In fact Jack made 11, for 2♥+3, which looks bad on the scorecard but I think is very reasonable.
France of course bid the game and romped home 88-5, leaving us with 0 Victory Points.
Round 3 Victory Points: 0
Total so far: 5.6 VPs (17th place)
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