Feeling A Bit Better .. Shanghai the quarterfinals

It was so great that the team pulled together and did so well against Germany.  I was feeling horrible when I sat down against Dani and Sabine.  I could barely sit at the table and I couldn’t seem to get enough air.  I warned Sabine who was my screenmate to ignore my big sighs.  It was simply me trying to get more air.  I think that was the worst I ever felt and still played bridge.  In retrospect I would have done a few things differently.  I should have taken the heart finesse in four hearts for the overtrick.  But my biggest mistake was my bid on this hand.

S AJ103 H void D AKJ9 C AKQJ9.

As East I opened 2C not vulnerable and Dani, South bid 3H.  Pamela passed as did Sabine and I doubled.  We played the hand in 4H doubled for 500 into our nonvulnerable s6C slam.  Looking at the field a look of other pairs did the same thing.  But I think that 4H is a better bd on my hand.  I need so very little to make a slam.

We can still win this match but even if we lose I think that the team did wonderfully overcoming huge obstacles to make it to the final eight and to play hard against Germany who are clear favourites. 

Playing bridge in a world championships is a tremendous experience I wish all of you could share.  It is stressful and demanding.  It requires strong desire, competitiveness and stamina  It is exciting and challenging.  I remember now why I love it.  I can see why it is addictive.

So no matter what I will always remember Shanghai.