Now that we are into the new year, the next big event is the 2024 Bermuda Regional which returns for the first time after the Covid dislocation.

Rachael Gosling and her team, together with the Hamilton Princess, have been working hard to stage an event that maintains the high standards set by previous Regionals, and that work will gain pace over the coming weeks.

The event starts on Saturday, January 27, with the Charity Pairs, and ends with the closing banquet and prize-giving on Friday, February 2. Attendance looks great despite the late start and the long hiatus since the last Regional, and getting this event back on the calendar is a huge achievement.

I encourage all locals to fully support the Regional, not only by playing but by signing up for the banquet and other events where we can engage our visitors – it is what makes this event special. I’ll publish the full schedule of events next week which includes a mix of afternoon and evening Championship events.

We have been very fortunate in obtaining a number of sponsorships this year – the Bermuda Department of Tourism has been outstanding, and we have other major sponsorships from IGI Insurance, who last year set up their Bermuda office, Gorham’s, and Kitson’s. Gosling’s, Butterfield & Vallis, BGA and TOPS have been and are still, major and generous donors to the Bermuda Regional. These sponsors have played a huge part in making this Regional happen and in helping us maintain the quality of the event, and all of us are more than grateful for their support.

The other big news is the return of the Beginners Bridge lessons, which will start on February 12 at the Bridge Club – the lessons will be given by Des and Tracy Nash and they will be assisted by Steve Cosham.

I’ll provide details of where to sign up in next week’s column, so if you know anyone who you think would be a good candidate for these lessons please encourage them to enrol – it will be one of the best decisions they have ever made!

Now to the hand (see Figure 1). I usually stay away from card combinations that are too complex, but today I’m going to test those brain cells in order to highlight how experts take note of the “spot” cards – cards lower than a ten. Treat it as you would a crossword puzzle – look at it, and then look at it again, and again, until you see what North was talking about after the hand was over.

After East’s weak jump overcall, South’s cue bid of three spades promised a game going hand with at least three cards in hearts. North’s rebid of four hearts suggested a minimum hand. However, South decided that he had enough in reserve to drive to the no-trump slam via a key card inquiry.

West led the seven of spades. Declarer took East’s King of spades with the Ace and, without any apparent thought, played the four of hearts to the Ace and a low heart back to his jack. When the hearts proved to be 4=1 the contract had to fail.

“That was an unlucky break,” offered South, but North was not having a bit of this. “Your play would work against a singleton King of hearts in either hand, but if you take into account East’s overcall, it was not the best play in the suit.

“The lead and the bidding suggested that spades were 2=6. If the hearts were 3-2 any reasonable play in the suit would bring four tricks in the suit. As there would be no chance of making 12 tricks when hearts were 5-0, you should have focused on coping with as many 4-1 heart breaks as possible.“

“On the auction, it was far more likely for East to have a singleton in hearts than West (about six times more often, actually). So you should have asked yourself ‘Which singletons can I cope with in the East hand?’ Your play only works against a singleton King.

“However, by leading the Jack of hearts at trick two you can overcome a singleton ten, nine or seven of hearts on your right.

“When West covers the Jack with King you would win the Ace and, as the cards lie, luck would be on your side when East follows with the seven. Next, you could lead a low heart from dummy to your eight and West’s nine.

“On winning the spade continuation in hand with the Queen, you would pick up the suit by leading four of hearts and covering the card that West plays. This would have seen you make four heart tricks and the contract.”

So there you go! Stay clear of this North if you see him coming!

• David Ezekiel can be reached at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Friday, January 5

1. Gertrude Barker-Betsy Ballie

2. Tony Saunders-Margaret Way

3. John Glynn-Molly Taussig

Monday, January 8

North/South

1. Aida Bostelmann-Allyson Eadie

2. Sheena Rayner-Magda Farag

3. Caroline Svenson-Jane Clipper

East/West

1. Stephanie Kyme-Rachael Gosling

2. Gertrude Barker-Jane Smith

3. Judith Bussell-Lisa Rhind

Tuesday, January 9

North/South

1. Duncan Silver-Marion Silver

2. Malcolm Moseley-Erica Jones

East/West

1. Jean Schilling John Thorne

2. Nikki Boyce-Carol Eastham

Wednesday, January 10

North/South

1. Richard Gray-Wendy Gray

2. Gertrude Barker-Jane Smith

East/West

1. Sheena Rayner-Molly Taussig

2. Stephan Cosham-Rachael Gosling