Each year in the first week of May England's most prestigious tournament is played in Stratford-upon-Avon, place of birth of William Shakespeare.

Naturally all English top players take part, as well as many internationals from other countries, such as Norwegian ace Boye Brogeland, Ed Hoogenkamp (!) and Frank Burghout.

This year I was invited to play in a team with Mary Gordon Smith, Frank Burghout, Tim Verbeek and Jacco Hop.

Basically the system is a sort of strong club; furthermore it always gives priority to a major suit above a minor. Since an opening of 1NT denies a four card major, there is no need for Stayman.
One of the best features of the system is perhaps the opening of 1♦: unbalanced, no four card major.

S/All		♠	10 8 6 5
		♥	9
		♦	A 9 4 2
		♣	A Q 5 4
♠	K J 7			♠	A Q 9 4 3
♥	J 8 6 5			♥	K Q 10 3 2
♦	5 3			♦	Q 8 6
♣	10 9 3 2			♣	-
		♠	2
		♥	A 7 4
		♦	K J 10 7
		♣	K J 8 7 6

South's lead of ♠2 was won by the ♠K. A heart went to the ♥K and ♥A. South now switched to a club instead of a diamond - so much for the spade ruff! (North can signal diamonds in the first trick; also South can duck the first heart in order to allow North to signal in the second heart trick. Or, somewhat easier: East's club void was abundantly clear from the bidding and dummy's four card suit.)
Mary Gordon Smith could now draw the remainder of the trumps and could still ruff a diamond in dummy (West), making her contract.

The other table:

¹ unbalanced, no four card major
² 'bid your long suit' (which is certainly a minor!)

After Frank's 1♦ opening I knew we had a good fit in a minor suit and the opponents had at least nine hearts between them. To put maximum pressure upon them, I bid 4NT: 'partner, bid your longest suit.'

Frank subsequently showed he still knows his stuff. After a heart lead he ruffed a heart and played a spade. A spade came back, which he ruffed. Then he ruffed his last heart and played the ♣A and the ♣Q and then took a direct diamond finesse over East. This way he made his contract and the team game on both tables.

Our slam bidding proved to be adequate as well:

S/EW		♠	A J 10 9 5 4
		♥	8 5
		♦	A 9 6 4
		♣	10
		♠	K Q 2
		♥	K 2
		♦	2
		♣	A K Q J 8 7 2

¹ strong
² six hearts or spades, 8-10 HCP
³ strong, natural
⁴ six spades(!)
⁵ establishing spades
⁶ control
⁷ Blackwood
⁸ two aces

This way we avoided the trap of 6♠ in North (of course 6♣ in South is fine too, but the top spot is 6NT in South).

Looking back at these first two deals, I do not think they make up a funny column. Therefore my next column will feature Ed Hoogenkamp since there is always a good laugh when he is involved.

As a warm-up: play this 6♥; East has doubled 4♣ for the lead en route.

		♠	A 7 5
		♥	A 9 8 5
		♦	K Q 3
		♣	A 7 6
		♠	Q 6
		♥	K Q J 10 4 2
		♦	A 7 5
		♣	10 9

So West led the ♣2.

Ed, South, won with the ♣A, East enthusiastically dropping the ♣K.

How did Ed land this slam?
Solution in my next article.

Ed also was dealt this hand:

¹ strong, artificial: 16⁺ HCP

Curious after the result of this psychic? Then read the sequel: 'Adventures of a bridge professional 7: Stratford (2)'. On bridgevaria.com soon.