Driving on fumes!

It is the last day of the two week long Championship, Maurice and I are both very tired. We have been playing bridge since we got here on the 1st of October.

The Imp Pairs final had four sessions of twenty-eight boards. The fifth session had thirty boards. Seventy-two pairs in the field and everyone played everyone.

Bridge was no longer just a mind game, it had become an endurance test. Most of the partnerships around the room were showing signs of stress.

As we moved to our next opponent’s table. Mrs. C. T. was over heard asking Mr. G.T. ” What were you doing on the first hand, playing with yourself?” He muttered something under his breath. 

We sat down and exchanged greetings.

5th session. Board 7. Dealer South. All vulnerable.

As East I held. ♠ KJ103 ♥ A874 ♦ 42 ♣ 1095

The auction went.

 

West	North	East	South
			1♥
3♥ *	3♠	3NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

3♥ *- Bid three no trumps with a heart stopper.

These were the hands.

 

Dealer: South Vul: All	Mrs. C.T. ♠  A97642 ♥  92 ♦  6 ♣  KJ62
West ♠  85 ♥  Q10  ♦  AKQJ953 ♣  73		East ♠  KJ103 ♥  A874 ♦  42 ♣  1095
	Mr. G.T. ♠  Q ♥  KJ653 ♦  1087 ♣  AQ84

 

Mrs. C.T. made a very good lead-directing bid of three spades. Mr. G.T. followed order and led the spade queen, five, ace and three. They soon cashed their four tricks in clubs for down one.

After we scored it up. Mr. G.T. stuck his head under the opening in the screen, with a smile on his face “You think you are playing with kids?’

“No” I retorted “I was playing with myself!” That made everyone at the table howl.