Board 13 decides the Norvite Simultaneous

"Unlucky for some", for the first time the results on one board more or less decided the outcome for most players in either direction.

Board 13. Dealer West. All Vul.

	- Q 10 9 5 2 A K Q 8 7 6 4 3 -
K 4 8 7 3 9 5 2 A K J 9 7	N W E S	A Q 9 8 7 6 5 2 - J 10 6 5 2
	J 10 3 A K J 6 4 - Q 10 8 4 3

When the board arose at the table in a mixed pairs event South was dealer and the auction went:

South	West	North	East
1	2	5NT	6
7	7	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass

The East declarer made use of all the available information and brought home the unlikely Grand Slam.

For the Norvite I thought that by switching the hands around and making West the dealer it might produce a more interesting outcome and so it proved.

There are many stories, of this now legendary hand, but my favourite comes from Nancy Roy of Speymouth BC who playing with an unfamiliar partner after a Pass by West decided to sit tight with her "Marylin Munro" knowing that she might get better opportunities to describe her hand (Liz McGowan please note - NO Benjie Two) and so it proved. The Auction proceeded something like this...

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1	2
3	6	6	Pass
Pass	7	Pass	7
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Nancy still hasn't been able to wipe the smile from her face and in her own words "Really enjoyed the hands". Are we surprised?

Gibby Reid.