English 2019 אוגוסט 192 גיליון 55 The IMP Pairs, traditionally played on Saturday afternoon and evening, is quite a special event. Usually a huge score is required to win, which means that good bridge alone is insufficient. One has to do very well in the "big" hands (namely potential slams) and "sit at the right place" when the cards belong to the opponents, because any slam bid and made by the opponents greatly diminishes one's chances of winning. During the first session I was watching a young pair of-14year olds Ido Moshkovits – Tal Samoelov preparing for their first ever EBL event next month as members of the Israel U16 Kids Team. Apparently their arsenal of slam conventions was insufficient to reach a grand slam in the following deal: Dealer East. Vul All A9 KT96 K763 J98 8642 JT 8 75 T954 QJ8 KQ54 AT7543 KQ753 AQJ432 A2 - West North East South Samoelov Moshkovits Pass 1♥ Pass 3♦* 4♣ 4NT Pass 5♥ Pass 6♥ * Bergen Raise, 10-11 HCP with 4 hearts After an initial Pass, East decided to join the partywithabidof four clubs, oncehisopponents found a 9+ card major suit fit. South asked for keycards with his big hand, discovering that one keycards was missing. Was it ♣A or ♠A? Unfortunately he couldn't know for sure so he didn't risk the grand. After trumps broke 2-1 he could already claim thirteen tricks. The key to reaching this slam is using the "Exclusion Keycard" convention. If NorthSouth agree that 5♣ over 4♣ (and also over a Pass by East) would show a club void and ask for the number of keycards outside clubs (that most logical agreement), than North would respond 5♠ (3rd step), showing 2 keycards excluding the club ace. Now South could ask for side-suit kings with 5NT (or 6♣), and once his partner shows the ♦K he can confidently bid 7♥. Despite the missed opportunity, our kids were rewarded for their effort with a score of +3 IMPs. However, the following hand derailed their progress as their opponents bid nicely to a slam which was found by ten pairs only. Dealer South. Vul N/S QJT975 Q2 5 AJ63 AK86 - A93 K864 KJ742 AT963 T K875 432 JT75 Q8 Q942 53rd Tel Aviv Festival – The IMP Pairs // Ram Soffer
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTQ4MDQ5