World of woe for Wayne

The Unlucky Expert is a famous fictional bridge player created by writer S. J. Simon. This character was known for drawing inferences from the actions of his opponents with unfortunate consequences. Today’s hand features a real live Unlucky Expert (let’s call him Wayne) in action at the recent National Bridge Congress held in Hamilton.

East’s opening bid was systemically weak, promising five hearts and at least a fourcard minor. East was keen for partner to lead a heart should South be declarer, so wasn’t overly concerned about stretching the truth a little, as far as his minor suit holding was concerned.

South’s bid was not asking for minors, but similar to a onenotrump overcall.

West led the queen of diamonds, expecting to hit partner’s minor.

There are few things bridge players hate more than leading from queen/jack and finding king/10 in dummy with the ace in declarer’s hand. ‘‘Never again’’, they silently vow.

Wayne now embarked on a redsuit crisscross between the two hands. First he won the diamond ace then played up to dummy’s 10 at trick two (West contributing the eight). He followed with a heart to the seven in hand and continued with a heart to dummy’s king and East’s ace. East returned the four of clubs to Wayne’s ace.

Things were going extremely well for Wayne: a favourable lead, guidance in the handling of the heart suit and playing in the higherscoring no trumps rather than spades. A top board seemed in the bag.

Next Wayne exited with the king of spades to West’s ace and won another club return in hand.

Wayne now set out to enjoy the fruits of his labours. He led a diamond to dummy’s king, played the 13th diamond, repeated the heart finesse and cashed the queen. Nine tricks in with two cards left to play.

Wayne now had (he thought) a perfect count on East’s hand: five hearts, three diamonds, four clubs (being the fourcard minor shown in the bidding) and a singleton spade. So at trick 12 he took the ‘‘marked’’ finesse by playing a spade up to dummy’s 10.

Disaster! East won his jack and played a club. Wayne was kept to nine tricks while the opponents happily waltzed off with most of the matchpoints.