The Warren Buffett Cup, bridge’s answer to golf’s Ryder Cup, took place last month outside Dublin, not far from the venue of the Ryder Cup.
Europe and the United States each sent six pairs, one female and five male. After three-plus days of play, with only 18 boards to go, Europe enjoyed a small lead. But the United States steamrollered through the next 12 deals to make the last 6 irrelevant.
The scoring was by board-a-match. If your pair did better than the opposing team’s, whether by 10 points or 1,000, you received one point. This made overtricks extremely valuable.
North’s two no-trump showed game-forcing values with four-plus hearts. South’s three no-trump denied a side-suit singleton or void, and promised 14-16 high-card points.
In the other room, against Norberto Bocchi from Italy, Bobby Levin led a trump. Declarer won with his jack, drew the missing trump, played off dummy’s two top spades, then led a club to his king. West won with his ace and shifted to a diamond, setting up three defensive tricks: one diamond and two clubs.
Against Steve Weinstein, Justin Hackett from England led a low spade. Declarer won on the board and immediately played a club to his king. West, not seeing the danger, won with his ace and continued with a second spade. Declarer played a trump to his king, cashed the club queen, and led a third club, claiming when clubs broke 3-3. South’s diamond four disappeared on dummy’s club seven. The overtrick won the board for the United States.
If you need a misdefense, put the defenders on the spot as quickly as possible.
Europe and the United States each sent six pairs, one female and five male. After three-plus days of play, with only 18 boards to go, Europe enjoyed a small lead. But the United States steamrollered through the next 12 deals to make the last 6 irrelevant.
The scoring was by board-a-match. If your pair did better than the opposing team’s, whether by 10 points or 1,000, you received one point. This made overtricks extremely valuable.
North’s two no-trump showed game-forcing values with four-plus hearts. South’s three no-trump denied a side-suit singleton or void, and promised 14-16 high-card points.
In the other room, against Norberto Bocchi from Italy, Bobby Levin led a trump. Declarer won with his jack, drew the missing trump, played off dummy’s two top spades, then led a club to his king. West won with his ace and shifted to a diamond, setting up three defensive tricks: one diamond and two clubs.
Against Steve Weinstein, Justin Hackett from England led a low spade. Declarer won on the board and immediately played a club to his king. West, not seeing the danger, won with his ace and continued with a second spade. Declarer played a trump to his king, cashed the club queen, and led a third club, claiming when clubs broke 3-3. South’s diamond four disappeared on dummy’s club seven. The overtrick won the board for the United States.
If you need a misdefense, put the defenders on the spot as quickly as possible.