Okome

We played this hand today in Okome, a Japanese restaurant.

No one vul S deal ♠ K Q x x ♥ K x x ♦ K Q J x ♣ A x ♠ J x x ♥ Q J x ♦ x x x ♣ K Q x x 18 9 9 4 ♠ x ♥ A x x x x x ♦ A T ♣ J x x x ♠ A x x x x ♥ x ♦ 9 x x x ♣ x x x

Alex W N E S 1♠ - 4♠ - - -

The South player found a bold 1♠ bid. Something of an overbid, but he is only seven years old. His partner was an Aloe Vera bottle who was kindly making up the table. The bottle had a comfortable 4♠ bid, luckily with a bit to spare.

West led a top Club. Declarer won, and drew trumps in three rounds. Then he led a Diamond up to the King and Ace. East won, took a Club, and returned the ♦T. Declarer recognised his ♦9 was a winner, so now he had ten tricks. He gave up a Heart and claimed the rest, putting the cards aside to tuck into the chocolate moon-balls.