The Interstate part of the ANC is over. Now the Australian Butler Pairs Championship starts. This event is a bit of a marathon - three stages each of which lasts 2 days. For those of us who have already played for the last seven days it starts to be a test of stamina!
Stage 1 of the Open competition is held over 4 sessions on Saturday and Sunday. There are 64 pairs divided into NS and EW fields. Each pair plays 30 of the 32 pairs in the other field. The top 10 pairs in each direction will qualify for Stage 2.
The first session was 7 matches of 4 boards. Tania and I scored +36 IMPs to be running 3rd in the EW field at lunchtime. Scores here.
Board 23 saw a lot of action. On a heart lead against 3NT you have 8 top tricks. Another trick might be available in clubs or in spades. The club finesse is the best percentage option in isolation. A thoughtful declarer should probably try cashing the AK of spades first in case the Q is doubleton. On this hand when the Q falls you have 9 top tricks so you will just play the clubs from the top and the doubleton Q will fall in that suit as well. 12 tricks. Double dummy you can make 13 tricks in clubs by dropping the trump Q and ruffing a diamond to set up that suit as well. 2 pairs bid 7C and one of them made it! We played 3NT and made 12 tricks.
The second session was 8 matches of 4 boards. Tania and I scored +50 IMPs which placed us 4th EW for the session. Scores here.
At the end of the day we led the EW field. Scores here.
Tomorrow we do the whole thing again against the other half of the field.