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A BOWL OF GOOD CHEER
Edwin B. Kantar
December 19, 1977
If you have ever wondered what it is like to play in a world championship, you are about to find out. The 10 hands shown here were taken from the 1977 Bermuda Bowl, which was played in Manila and won by a U.S. team that included the author. Only a few changes have been made for the convenience of the reader. The hands are difficult, but this has been taken into account in the awarding of points. Score from 170-130 and you should have been in the championships. From 125-100, maybe you will next year. From 95-80, perhaps in a few years. From 75-40, the next decade. Fewer than that, why not take up gin rummy? For answers see page 116.
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December 19, 1977

A Bowl Of Good Cheer

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NORTH

[Jack of Spades]
[6 of Spades]
[2 of Spades]
[Ace of Hearts]
[3 of Hearts]
[10 of Diamonds]
[6 of Diamonds]
[4 of Diamonds]
[Ace of Clubs]
[Queen of Clubs]
[7 of Clubs]
[6 of Clubs]
[5 of Clubs]

WEST

[8 of Spades]
[7 of Spades]
[3 of Spades]
[Jack of Hearts]
[9 of Hearts]
[5 of Hearts]
[4 of Hearts]
[Ace of Diamonds]
[Queen of Diamonds]
[9 of Diamonds]
[8 of Diamonds]
[Jack of Clubs]
[3 of Clubs]

SOUTH

[King of Spades]
[Queen of Spades]
[4 of Spades]
[King of Hearts]
[Queen of Hearts]
[8 of Hearts]
[7 of Hearts]
[6 of Hearts]
[King of Diamonds]
[5 of Diamonds]
[King of Clubs]
[4 of Clubs]
[2 of Clubs]

EAST

[Ace of Spades]
[10 of Spades]
[9 of Spades]
[5 of Spades]
[10 of Hearts]
[2 of Hearts]
[Jack of Diamonds]
[7 of Diamonds]
[3 of Diamonds]
[2 of Diamonds]
[10 of Clubs]
[9 of Clubs]
[8 of Clubs]

Given that your partner is unlikely to have much of anything in spades (although he just might have Q107 or K107) there is a grave danger that if you let this trick go by, the contract will go with it:

The clubs look menacing and if declarer has the KQ of hearts that's the old ball game. (One spade, five clubs and three hearts.)

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