Our best misunderstanding

Our Best Misunderstanding.

Partner and I had our usual mixed fortunes at the Coventry Congress Godiva Swiss Pairs this year. There are three sets before lunch, and three after. Last year, we achieved the £20 prize for the "best second half" score (and followed it next day with the "highest riser" in the teams). This year, we had to share the "best second half" prize with another pair, scoring 43 out of 60. This followed an abysmal 4 out of 30 in the first half!

After two rounds, we had scored one VP. Then came the following hand which was our best misunderstanding. The problem was how to stop below the slam level.

Board 29.

Dealer North

Both Vul.

	J 6 4
	10 3
	A
	A K Q 10 9 5 2

	A 5 2
	7 2
	Q 9 7 5 4 2
	4 3

	N
W		E
	S

	K 10
	Q 8 5
	J 10 8 6 3
	J 8 6

South

North

	Q 9 8 7 3
	A K J 9 6 4
	K
	7

4 NT
5

6 NT
-

Sitting north, I was disappointed to find the A in my hand, as it prevented me from opening a gambling 3NT. Instead, I contented myself with 1. Partner replied 1, so I tried a quiet 2. Partner's 2 response was a game force, so I bid the fourth suit and partner showed 5-6 in the majors. I wheeled out RKCB and signed off in 5 knowing we were missing two keycards (the ace and king of trumps as it happened). I had successfully solved the problem and arrived at the par contract (five hearts goes off on an inspired spade lead), but reckoned without partner. Despite having shown me 6-5 in the majors, she decided her two singletons would come as a surprise to me, and besides she didn't like her spades so tried 6. With the missed gambling 3NT still in my mind, I decided to go for 6NT as we were at the slam level anyway.

Would you lead the K sitting east? Neither would they, and I got a 6. With the clubs breaking and the heart finesse working an overtrick rolled in. "Bid up, partner" I smirked, knowing it would be a huge top. Not so. Four other idiot pairs had the same score, and one pair of maniacs were in 7NT making. Still, it was a good enough score to give us three VPs out of 20 on that round.

Roll on next year.