small story

[jahol]

In Prague, the best quality long term IMP competition takes place every Monday

in Italska street. There are five levels - from A0 (a group of probably the best

six pairs in Czech Republic at the given time)...over A1, A2, A3 (two groups of

six pairs at the given level) up to A4 with four groups of six pairs. Every three

months, the worst pair from A0 has to drop to A1, from A1 to A2...etc., being

replaced with the best pair from lower level.

 

The heroes of this story won A0 level some time ago. It was one of the biggest

successes of their bridge life, unfortunately not followed with additional ones.

In the next phase, they fell into A1 level and then into A2 level immediately. Even

in A2 level, they were not quite successful and they had to win the last match not

to drop into A3.

 

The match was pretty tight and it was not quite clear, at any time moment, who

is in lead. Several boards before the end, our heroes bid 3NT after a very simple

auction 1NT-3NT and the opponent on the lead had in hand

 

QJxx---J108x---10xxx---x.

 

The opponent fell into a very long trance. The dummy became impatient since he was

fairly strong smoker and did not have a chance for a while. Finally, he put the cards

into the board, said "Help yourself and good luck" to the partner and went out of the

room (allowed in this club).

 

After several minutes he want back looking at the teammate and rivals holding the cards

for the next board. "How did you finish?" asked to his partner. "Well, one down" said

the declarer of the last board sulkily (joking, not admitting that the "previous"

board is still in play, since the the first lead has not happened during all the time,

the dummy was smoking).

 

"You got small heart as the first lead, did not you", said the dummy sadly with understanding.

That was finally some clue for the unhappy first leader! He led small heart immediately

and the contract was one down after several dozens of seconds...