Burlingame 2/15

Our GNT-C team played in the A/X Swiss teams today at the Burlingame regional. We ended up 7 VPs below average, but it was a LOT of fun. We were planning to play the BCD, but they only play 49 boards as opposed to the A/X 56. As Helen put it, "More value for our money!"

We won our first two matches by a tiny bit, and then we played against our third team. There were three big swings in this match.

Round 3
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We got to 6D and made it after the defense started two rounds of hearts. I ruffed in dummy, drew two rounds of trumps, and finessed the spade through the opener. The other table was in 5D, making 6, after a murkier auction where our teammates bid a lot.

On another one, there was a nonvul game swing where we were in 3H making 4, whereas the opponents bid it. Unfortunately, I was dummy, so I can't quite remember the hand. I don't think it was a very good contract though... it needed a helpful lead and a suit to break 3-3.



Both teams got to 4S, but we defeated it at our table after I led a heart. Partner got in with the DA, put a club through, and the contract goes off 1. At the other table, a passive spade was led, giving declarer time to establish the 13th diamond.

After we compared scores, Eric came up to me, and we had this conversation.

Eric: You guys must be doing good or something.
Me: I dunno, we're doing okay.
Eric: You just played the Burke team.
Me: Who?
Eric: Burke, Mohan, Bates, Hampson. They're national champions.
Me: ...Oh.
Eric: So how did it go?
Me: Win by 13.

As Eric later said, "It's a short match... anything could happen!" I'll take it!

Round 4
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There were three big swings in this round, but I'll post the more interesting one.



At our table, the auction went, west dealing:

p - p - 1H - 1S
2H - 2S - all pass

I made four on the heart lead, it takes a trump lead and continuation to hold me to three. Unfortunately, the other table was in game and also did not get a killing lead.

It was only after the match that I realized that our opponents at the other table were the Stansbys! We eked over them by 1 imp!

So after the first four miracle rounds, we crashed and burned. We lost our final three matches by ~15 VPs each, which our earlier small victories weren't good enough to cover. There was a hand I got to 3N with 12 opposite 6, but never mind that.

I really hope we make it through the GNT-C qualifiers this Saturday!