Bridge: June 25, 2023

The venerable Vanderbilt Knockout Teams, the premier event at the ACBL’s Spring NABC, saw victory for a team led by Jeff Wolfson (Steve Garner, David Gold-Zia Mahmood, Joe Grue-Brad Moss). In the final against Francisco BERNAL (a Colombian player now living in the United States, plus four Italians and one player from the U.S.), WOLFSON took a huge lead and held on to win 141 to 113.

As usual, most of the top teams comprised a wealthy “sponsor” and a supporting professional cast. The demand for pro services meant that many foreign pros were present, and by the Round of 32, a majority of the players were from overseas.

The results depended in great part on which sponsor could afford to retain top players, or perhaps which sponsor had hired a set of pros who were having a hot week. (Many sponsors are capable players; some are less so.)

WOLFSON struck a heavy blow in today’s deal from near the end of the final’s first quarter. The auction started the same way at both tables, but when East leaped to four spades, South for BERNAL tried five hearts. After two passes, East found a good penalty double, and after West led the king of clubs, declarer lost two clubs, a diamond and a spade, minus 500.

At the other table, Garner, South for WOLFSON, showed better judgment by passing four spades around. North, quite happy to be consulted, doubled. South cashed three aces, then led another heart. Declarer ruffed and could have escaped for down two with double-dummy play, but he actually went down three for minus 800 and 16 IMPs to WOLFSON.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S Q J 10 9 2

H Q J 9

D Q 7

C 10 9 3

WEST

S None

H 8 4 2

D K J 9 6 4 3

C K Q J 7

EAST

S A K 8 7 6 4 3

H 6

D 8 5

C 6 4 2

SOUTH

S 5

H A K 10 7 5 3

D A 10 2

C A 8 5

South West North East
1 H 2 D 2 H 4 S
5 H Pass Pass Dbl
All Pass
Opening lead – C K

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.