Bridge

THE USBF Trials suggest that the new partnership between Bob Hamman and Zia has yet to fulfil its potential, but Bob Hamman remains one of the all-time bridge greats. On this deal from a teams match he made rather more tricks than he ought to have done. At the other table Ron Rubin opened a strong no-trump as West. East transferred into hearts, and South jumped to 3S, which Rubin doubled. He led the jack of clubs, taken with the ace. Declarer played a spade to the queen and king, ruffed the second club and played the nine of diamonds. Rubin took his ace, cashed the jack of spades and played ace and another heart for one down.

Against Hamman West opened 1C, Zia overcalled 1D, and East bid 2H, a Fit Jump showing hearts and clubs. 4S looks ambitious, and West doubled with some confidence. Two down appears inevitable, but.... West led the ace of hearts, on which East played a rather sadistically unclear five. West decided to cash out in case of accidents, and played ace, then eight of diamonds. Hamman won the king, and ruffed a diamond with the ten of spades, establishing the suit. He then played an innocent five of spades. When West followed with a reflex four the trick proceeded five-four-three-two. Hamman cashed the ace of spades, crossed to the ace of clubs, and discarded his losing heart on a diamond. He made ten tricks, losing one heart, one diamond and one spade to a red-faced West.