The Open Trial (II) by Phillip Alder The 2018 Open United States Bridge Championship was held at the Houston Marriott Westchase from May 11 to May 20. It selected USA1 for the 2019 Bermuda Bowl, which will be held in Sanya, China, from October 19 to November 2. There will be a second trial next year to decide USA2. Before moving to the action, what would you do in these three bidding situations? 1a. With both sides vulnerable, you pick up this hand: ‰ K Q 8 6 Š 9 6 4 ‹ A 6 5 Œ Q 8 6 The auction starts like this: West North East South Advancer You Intervenor Partner 1Œ Pass 1‰ 2Š Dble (a) 3Š ?? (a) Three-card spade support, any point-count What would you do now? 2. With only your side vulnerable, you are dealt: ‰ J 9 5 Š A J 9 8 4 2 ‹ A Œ A 10 7 The bidding begins thus: West North East South You Advancer Partner Intervenor Pass 1Œ 1‰ 2Š Pass 2NT Pass ?? What would you rebid? 1 1b. ‰ K Q 8 6 Š 9 6 4 ‹ A 6 5 Œ Q 8 6 West North East South Advancer You Intervenor Partner 1‹ (a) Pass 1‰ 2Š Dble (b) Pass ?? (a) Two-plus diamonds, 10-15 points (b) Three spades What would you do in this position? In the 120-board quarterfinals, Nick Nickell -Ralph Katz, Bobby Levin-Steve Weinstein and Jeff Meckstroth-Eric Rodwell won by 82 international match points over Jim Mahaffey -Sam Lev, Neil Chambers-John Schermer and Billy Cohen-Gary Cohler. Jeffrey Jester -Frank Merblum, Adam and Zach Grossack, and Howard Weinstein-Adam Wildavsky put out Andrew Rosenthal -Aaron Silverstein, David Berkowitz-Bob Hamman and Eldad Ginossar-Chris Willenken by 35 imps, aided by a second set score of 75 imps to 1. Let's look at the other two matches, starting with the hottest team in bridge and reigning Bermuda Bowl champions: Marty Fleisher -Chip Martel, Eric Greco-Geoff Hampson and Joe Grue- Brad Moss. They faced Paul Fireman -Gavin Wolpert, Vincent Demuy-John Kranyak and John Hurd- Joel Wooldridge. This match was close throughout, leaving Fleisher 2 imps ahead with 15 boards to be played. In that final session, Fireman gained 10 imps on the first three deals to regain the lead. Then came Board 109: 2 North Dlr: South ‰ 2 Vul: E-W Š K 9 7 4 ‹ Q 8 5 Œ K Q 10 6 4 West East ‰ 8 6 5 4 ‰ A J 10 7 Š A 6 Š 8 ‹ A J 10 9 2 ‹ 7 6 4 3 Œ 8 5 Œ J 9 7 3 South ‰ K Q 9 3 Š Q J 10 5 3 2 ‹ K Œ A 2 Open Room: West North East South Hurd Hampson Wooldridge Greco 1Œ (a) 1‹ 2Œ (b) 3‹ 3Š Pass 4‹ (c) Pass 4Š Pass Pass Pass (a) In principle, 16-plus points (b) Five-plus clubs, 8-plus points (c) Strong heart raise Closed Room: West North East South Moss Kranyak Grue Demuy 1Š Pass 3‰ (a) Dble Pass 4‰ 5Œ Pass 5Š Pass Pass Pass (a) Splinter raise of hearts In the Open Room, Greco upgraded for a five-loser hand with so much in the majors. Then they judged well to stop in game, Hampson having a comfortable pass over four hearts with no aces. After losing tricks to the three aces, Greco claimed. At the other table, surely Kranyak should have passed over four spades. Then Demuy would have doubled and probably collected an 800 penalty for down three, the defenders taking three spades, one diamond and two clubs. Five hearts, though, was one too high, and Fleisher gained 10 imps to lead by 2. Three boards later, the lead was 3. Then: North Dlr: South ‰ K Q 8 6 Vul: Both Š 9 6 4 ‹ A 6 5 Œ Q 8 6 West East ‰ 10 3 2 ‰ A J 4 3 Š A 3 Š K Q J 10 8 ‹ Q 9 7 ‹ 8 4 3 2 Œ 10 7 5 4 2 Œ 9 South ‰ 9 7 5 Š 7 5 2 ‹ K J 10 Œ A K J 3 Open Room: West North East South Hurd Hampson Wooldridge Greco 1‹ (a) Pass 1‰ 2Š Dble (b) Pass 2‰ All Pass (a) Two-plus diamonds, 10-15 points (b) Three-card spade support Closed Room: West North East South Moss Kranyak Grue Demuy 1Œ Pass 1‰ 2Š Dble (b) 3Š Dble All Pass (a) Three-card spade support Hampson judged well to sign off in two spades, a contract that was one level too high! The defenders started with four rounds of hearts, the last being ruffed by dummy's five, West's ten and North's king. Declarer crossed to the club ace and ran the spade nine. East won with his jack, cashed the spade ace and led his last heart to guarantee another trump trick for down one. Moss hoped both that his partner had six hearts and that the opponents would misjudge, but it would have been less dangerous when nonvulnerable. Here, though, North made a card-showing dou- ble, and South was happy to pass. The defense was perfect. South led a trump. East took that trick and played a diamond to the queen and ace. Now North found the key club shift. South won and continued clubs. East ruffed and led another diamond. South took that and played a third club, leading to down two. Plus 100 and plus 500 gave Fireman 12 imps to take a 9-point lead. After a flat board came the decisive deal. 4 North Dlr: North ‰ 7 2 Vul: E-W Š 10 6 ‹ J 9 6 5 4 3 Œ K Q 5 West East ‰ J 9 5 ‰ K 10 8 Š A J 9 8 4 2 Š K Q 7 3 ‹ A ‹ K 10 7 Œ A 10 7 Œ 9 6 4 South ‰ A Q 6 4 3 Š 5 ‹ Q 8 2 Œ J 8 3 2 Open Room: West North East South Hurd Hampson Wooldridge Greco Pass 1Œ 1‰ 2Š Pass 2NT Pass 3NT! Pass Pass Pass Closed Room: West North East South Moss Kranyak Grue Demuy Pass Pass 2‰ 3Š Pass 4Œ (a) Pass 4Š Pass Pass Pass (a) Maximum heart raise Brilliant judgment by both Wooldridge and Hurd. First, Wooldridge rebid two notrump, not three hearts. Then Hurd, having those aces, realized that as long as hearts were running, they surely had nine quick tricks. And four hearts could be in danger with a spade lead through his partner's hand. Right they were. After a low-spade lead, Wooldridge immediately claimed ten tricks. But in the Closed Room, the defenders took two spades, a spade ruff and a later club for down one. Plus 630 and plus 100 gave Fireman 12 imps and an upset victory by 207 imps to 193. Note that Fleisher might still defend the Bermuda Bowl title by winning next year's trial to select USA2. To be continued 5 .