Scions Seize Unbreakable Spade Slam

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday February 26, 2000

Denis Howard

When freak hands walk in the door, basic bidding guidelines tend to fly out the window.

For example, if your side has 25 points, you don't expect the opponents to be able to make a small slam, but alas, such things do happen.

North dealer;

On this deal from the interstate teams selection tournament at the NSW Bridge Association, the daughters of two celebrated Australian bridge families bid tenaciously to the unbreakable small slam in spades, were doubled for their pains, and scored +1,210.

I'm sure it didn't occur to East-West to let the bidding die before the six level, or in the alternative, to save in seven hearts, for -500; and who could blame them?

At one table East-West were rather surprisingly allowed to play in six hearts. That needs the ace of diamonds and a diamond ruff to beat it.

The actual spade lead was not a success: +1,460 and a huge score for East-West.

It boils down to the fact that freak hands are not instructive, but they certainly are fun for those who survive them. Results from the Gold Coast Congress Pairs Championship Final. First: Z.Huilin-T.Ong; second: T.Antoff-A.Simpson; third: R.Harper-P.Hackett.