Getting Ready For Shanghai

I am starting to think China. And preparations are underway.  Today I had a manicure, pedicure and took my team jacket in for alterations! 

Last weekend the team had a terrific time in Montreal.  We all arrived at Rhoda’s lovely house in suburban Montreal. Sylvia drove up in a rental car which she had named the Banditmobile and called herself "the bandit".  You will have to ask her if you want to know why.  My lips are sealed.  We spent the morning bonding and talking about our expectations for Shanghai.  Our first goal is to make the round of eight and we all agreed that would be a good result for us.  However, if we can achieve that who knows what will happen in the knockout round.  So if you are following our results watch and see if we can achieve our goal.  We also talked about personal goals and there were some interesting ideas.  I ask you, should having fun be a goal for a team trying to win a world championships.  I would be interested in your comments.

The hands were tough but I saw some very good bridge, along with a few mistakes.  The hands were predealt and provided by Eric Kokish and Beverly Kraft so you know they were tough.  They were primarily play problems.  To my knowledge Francine made all her tough hands.  Way to go!  On Sunday I primarily watched Rhoda. Sitting behind her I know that I would find her a tough opponent.  On several hands she smoothly ducked a couple of offside cards without a flicker. 

We finally finished uploading the convention cards.  I say "we" because I had to help out a few times.  While I think the ideas behind the cards (provide a lot of information to opponents) is great, the convention card editor is a challenge.  Many of the teams have repeatedly changed their cards.  I know I need to go back and review all of the opposition convention cards again and make sure that we  have the appropriate defense for each one.   No more changes are allowed so I just need to get ready (psychologically)  for another pass.  Tomorrow…

Here is one interesting hand from our weekend.  Thanks to the Kokish-Kraft crew.  Try bidding it with your favourite partner.  Dealer South with no opposition bidding.

North                   
S K75
H QJ108
D A653
C A7

South
S AQ82
H AK652
D 2
C K83

If you are bidding it then read the rest of the post after you are done….

Both pairs from our team had no problems reaching 7H.  If you reach this contract you might get the QD lead.  Plan the play and then read on.

Both pairs made it by carefully playing the dummy reversal. Here is the whole hand

                North                   
                S K75
                H QJ108
                D A653
                C A7
West                                 East
S 106                              S J943
H 9743                           H void
D QJ104                         D K987
C 952                                C QJ1064
                South
                S AQ82
                H AK652
                D 2
                C K83