February 2025 - 68

Special Contributor
Bridge with the Abbot
Brother Hubert's excellent lead
B
rother Hubert was known
throughout the monastery for
his obsession of always leading
a trump against a suit contract.
Because a trump was rarely the most
dynamic of leads, he tended to finish
near the bottom of the field. He
kept a record of his successful trump
leads, nevertheless, with the intention
of writing a best-seller on the
subject.
The Abbot always welcomed the
appearance of Brother Hubert at his
table. " How is your learned work
coming along? " he enquired. " You
mustn't keep the world waiting. "
The studious-looking monk nodded
enthusiastically. " I realize that,
Abbot, " he replied. " I'm still somewhat
short of material, that's the
problem. I need another 40 deals. "
" Why don't you just make them
up? " suggested the Abbot. " It can't be
that difficult. "
" No, I want every deal to have an
authentic, real-life feel to it, " said
Brother Hubert. " I don't think anyone
would buy the book otherwise. "
The Abbot sorted his cards for the
next deal. With any luck, he would
end in a suit contract and receive a
favorable lead.
Dlr: South s A 6 3
Vul: Both h 7 3 2
d A J 7 5 2
c K 6
s 9 5 4
h J 9 6
d 10 8
c 9 8 7 5 2
s K 10 8 7
h K 4
d Q 9 6
c A Q 10 4
s Q J 2
h A Q 10 8 5
d K 4 3
c J 3
68 | Bridge Bulletin | February 2025
West North East
Bro. Claude Bro.
Pass
Pass
2d
4h
Pass
All Pass
With a trump lead guaranteed, the
Abbot was keen to play in hearts. He
gave no thought to a 2NT rebid and, a
few moments later, was duly installed
in the heart game. With a small
flourish, Brother Hubert placed the
h6 on the table.
The Abbot won East's king with
the ace and paused to consider his
continuation. After a few seconds, he
drew a second round of trumps with
the queen, spot cards appearing. His
next move was to finesse the dJ into
the safe hand - East, who could not
play clubs effectively. The finesse lost
and Brother Richard switched to a
low spade, the Abbot winning with
the queen. He then returned to the
diamond suit, hoping to discard a
club or two,
It was not to be. West ruffed the
third round of diamonds with the
jack, and a club switch put the heart
game one down.
" Unless I'm very much mistaken,
that's another deal for my book, "
Brother Hubert exclaimed.
Claude Yorke-Smith looked scathingly
to his right. " Not a very strong
one, " he observed. " The contract has
no chance at all if you lead either
black suit. "
" I won't point that out in the book, "
Brother Hubert continued. " My
trump lead put it one down. That's
the important thing. "
South
The
Hubert Y.-Smith Richard Abbot
1h
2h
BY DAVID BIRD
The Abbot could not suppress
a smile. If there was ever a vote
for the most clueless player in the
monastery, Brother Hubert would
offer Brother Aelred some serious
opposition.
" When you write up the deal, "
Claude continued, " you should point
out an instructive mistake. If declarer
allows the trump king to win the
first trick, you can't gain the lead to
play a club! " 2
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February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
