Daily Bulletin

----- Sunday, February 16, 1997 -----
Bulletin Number 8 -2

Bd: 33 NORTH DLR: N A VUL: None 854 K86532 K95 WEST EAST J1084 KQ952 AKJ Q10632 J AQ AJ863 2 SOUTH 763 97 10974 Q1074 Tatai thought that Hara had the K and not the heart king and so signed off, and an easy deal had been turned into a difficult one. Hara claims that he might have bid slam anyway because of the J, expecting to be no worse than a finesse. That's gracious of him, but all of that looks much too complicated for this layout. Plus 980 for Colker; plus 480 for Tatai. 11 imps to Indonesia, 126-47.

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass 1 Pass 2NT(1) Pass 3(2) Pass 3(3) Pass 4(4) Pass 4NT(5) Pass 5(6) Pass 5(7) All Pass (1) Forcing spade raise; (2) controls? (3) five; (4) relay; (5) A and red suit controls; (6) ask in diamonds; (7) second round control Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass 1 Pass 2(FG) 2 2 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 4NT Pass 5(2+Q) Pass 6 All Pass

Bd: 34 NORTH DLR: E A5 VUL: N/S 10543 Q832 1053 WEST EAST 986 KJ1032 K Q8 76 J954 AKQJ962 74 SOUTH Q74 AJ9762 AK10 8	Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass 1 5 Pass Pass DBL All Pass Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass 1 2 2 2 3 3 All Pass
With N/S stone cold for 4, vulnerable, Hara's 5 was the winning action, at least on paper. By the time he got around to spades (with a heart diuscard coming), he had a shrewd idea that Manoppo would not hold the ace, and so got out for minus 300. That would have been excellent for Hisatomi had Abe-Chen reached 4. but they sold out to 3, down 100. Indonesia gained 5 imps, 131-47.

Bd: 36 NORTH DLR: W Q2 VUL: Both 86 QJ96 J9853 WEST EAST 3 107654 AQ1073 J9542 75 84 K10762 Q SOUTH AKJ98 K AK1032 A4 5 was certainly the right contract and Manoppo took the obvious eleven tricks after the lead of the ace of hearts from Hara.

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo 2(1) Pass 3 DBL Pass 4 Pass 4 1NT 5 All Pass (1) 5+/4+m Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass Pass Pass 1(1) 1NT(2) Pass 2 3 Pass 4 Pass 5 Pass 4 Pass 3 Pass 6 All Pass (1) Strong; (2) +, or +

At the other table, where E/W competed less boisterously, Chen bid his hand as if held at least six spades, which prompted Kokish to lead a club rather than the ace of hearts, hoping to build a trick to cash if Colker could produce a slow spade or trump winner. He fully expected the ace of hearts to get ruffed. That reasoning might have been better appreciated on some other layout, but here Chen won the A, drew trumps, disposed of dummy's hearts on spades, and led a club toward the jack; plus 1370. 13 imps to Hisatomi, who needed them; 60-132.

Bd: 37 NORTH DLR: N AQ964 VUL: N/S 106 98653 J WEST EAST K J10872 AKQ8753 2 --- QJ4 AQ1054 K762 SOUTH 53 J94 AK1072 983

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass 2(1) Pass 6 All Pass (1) 4+/5+M Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen 2(1) Pass 2NT(2) 4 All Pass (1) 5+/4+m

Hisatomi's pairs were well-heeled for this one, both initiating proceedings with a specialized two-bid. Tatai's 2 gave Hara enough information to shoot a club slam, the best contract since it caters to four-one hearts. A pretty plus 920. Meanwhile, Kokish had to deal with an uncertain scenario at the other table, and settled for a quiet 4, hoping to have the opportunity to bid his clubs next. Next never came, of course, and he chalked up a grumpy plus 480. 10 well-deserved imps to Hisatomi, 70-115.

Bd: 38 NORTH DLR: E Q9 VUL: E/W Q975 AQJ 9754 WEST EAST J K107642 642 AJ3 876 942 KQJ863 2 SOUTH A853 K108 K1053 A10

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo 2(1) DBL(2) Pass(3) Pass 2 Pass Pass DBL(4) All Pass (1) Multi; (2) Cards; (3) Neutral; (4) T/O Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen 2 All Pass When it rains, it pours. So thought your editor(s), who followed up their (all right - his) two high-level disasters with an ugly minus 400 on this little number, which only half of them consider to be an acceptable weak two-bid. Little did they know that their teammates would bring back 1100 from a successful double of the same contract. 12 imps to Indonesia, 144-70.

Bd: 39 NORTH DLR: S A74 VUL: Both QJ107 Q10954 J WEST EAST 962 KQJ108 42 AK5 K2 J87 AK10853 62 SOUTH 53 9863 A63 Q974

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass Pass 1(1) 1 DBL(2) RDBL 2 2 All Pass (1) Precision, 2+ cards; (2) NEG Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 2(1) Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass

The rain was still pouring on Indonesia's North American pair on Board 39, where they reached a decent 4 that was not attempted at the other table. Colker got a heart lead, won the ace and led a diamond. Chen won the ace and played a second heart. Colker ruffed a heart and led a trump to the queen, and crossed to the diamond king. If clubs are three-two, he can make five in comfort by cashing both high clubs, ruffing a club, and ruffing a diamond. But that's not the big concern in four. If a defender holds a singleton club together with a small trump and the Q, declarer can make 4 on that lie by playing a second trump after cashing only one high club. That is the case on this deal and Colker was kicking himself after going down. 7 imps to Hisatomi, 77-144, where it might have been 10 imps to Indonesia.

Bd: 42 NORTH DLR: E AQ87 VUL: Both K542 A4 Q86 WEST EAST 6542 J3 963 Q1087 J7 KQ862 AJ74 K10 SOUTH K109 AJ 10953 9532

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo 1(1) Pass 1(2) 1NT Pass 3NT All Pass (1) Many hand types; (2) 3+, F1 Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass Pass Pass 1(1) Pass 1NT All Pass (1) Strong

In his quiet 1NT (some strong club that is, Abe-san), Chen got a heart leads and took the eight tricks that you are most likely to identify. Lasut was in 3NT at the other table and got a low diamond lead to the ten, jack, and ace. He finessed the J, came to the Q, and led a diamond towards the nine. Tatai went in with the queen and might have seen how far he would get defending passively. Instead, he switched to king and another club, so the Q was Lasut's ninth trick; plus 600. 10 imps to Indonesia, 156-77.

Bd: 43 NORTH DLR: S 1085 VUL: None AK3 A10832 J2 WEST EAST AKJ7 6 1097 864 K5 QJ76 K983 A7654 SOUTH Q9432 QJ52 94 Q10	Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass 1(1) 1 1NT Pass 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass 1NT Pass 2(1) Pass 3 All Pass (1) Spades; or both minors, any strength
In his aggressive 3NT, Tatai lost four hearts and the A for minus 50. In 3, Kokish got three rounds of hearts from Abe. A fourth heart would have created a trump trick for the defense with the A still to come, but Chen switched to a diamond, and that was 110 for declarer. 4 imps to Indonesia, 160-77.

Bd: 44 NORTH DLR: W A1083 VUL: N/S J9 K107 Q987 WEST EAST 5 Q97 Q87 AK1042 QJ53 A982 K6542 10 SOUTH KJ642 653 64 AJ3

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass Pass 1 1 2 2 All Pass Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass 2 2NT(1) Pass 3 All Pass (1) 13(54) or 0355 3 made four; plus 170. 2, with a guess in trumps, made two; plus 110. 7 imps to Indonesia, 167-77.

Bd: 45 NORTH DLR: N KJ643 VUL: Both J7 632 K86 WEST EAST 1087 A K1063 A842 KQ5 J9874 432 A95 SOUTH Q952 Q95 A10 QJ107

In the Open Room, Colker opened a weak notrump with the East cards (not relishing his rebid over a 1 response if he did not) in second seat and shut everyone out; plus 120 on a club lead. At the other table, Hara-Tatai got all the way to 4 from the West side and had a fighting chance on a spade lead. Hara led a diamond to the ten and king and continued with the Q. Manoppo won the ace and switched to clubs. Hara ducked, won the club continuation, played king-ace of trumps and reverted to diamonds, but Manoppo ruffed and cashed a club to defeat the contract; minus 100. 6 imps to Indonesia, 173-77. It had been a pretty glum day for the Japanese supporters watching the Vugraph show, but Board 46 brought them something spectacular to cheer about!

Bd: 46 NORTH DLR: E --- VUL: None 2 1098643 KQ10742 WEST EAST AJ832 K105 K75 AQJ1098 J5 AQ7 J53 9 SOUTH Q9764 643 K2 A86

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo 1 1 Pass Pass DBL Pass 2 3 3 Pass 4 DBL All Pass Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen 1 Pass 1 2NT 3(1) DBL 3 4 4 5 Pass(1) Pass DBL All Pass (1)good hand, short clubs, hearts and (some) spades (2) Forcing

5 would have been an interesting contract to play on a spade lead, ruffed, and a club switch (declarer can squeeze South in the pointed suits, but will he do it?) but not surprisingly, Colker opted to take the yen against 5 doubled and Kokish went along with that decision. Alas, there were no yen coming in 5 doubled against a declarer of Abe-san's stature. He ruffed the opening spade lead and led a diamond up. Colker took the ace and played two rounds of hearts. Abe ruffed, crossed to the K, came to the K, ruffed a diamond with the ace of trumps, and led a trump to his ten; plus 550. The auction in the Open Room was truly extraterrestrial. Lasut, hoping to get both his suits into the picture if that seemed wise, passed Manoppo's 1 overcall. If Hara was not going to pass a takeout double by Tatai, I am at a loss to explain why he didfn't raise to 2 directly, but there are many things about their system that I do not yet understand. Lasut had a chance to commit the unusual notrump over 2, but chose to emphasize his clubs instead. When his opponents struggled (so it seemed) into 4, Henky tried the effect of a Lightner double. Alas, our Eddy did not see the position in the same light and teed off to the unfortunate lead of the K. Tatai soon took all the tricks for the unusual score of plus 890, nonvulnerable. The good news for Indonesia is that both pairs had this disaster on the same deal, compressing their imp-loss to a mere 16. Hisatomi 93, Indonesia 173.

Bd: 47 NORTH DLR: S K432 VUL: N/S 983 A 107654 WEST EAST AQJ876 109 A64 KQJ K3 QJ1086 A2 J83 SOUTH 5 10752 97542 KQ9

Tatai-Hara fetched up in 4. Henky led the A and switched to a club, and after winning the king of trumps was able to put Eddy in with a club to get his diamond ruff. Down one; minus 50. Kokish-Colker reached 3NT from the East side, a contract with great potential, even after Chen found the excellent lead of the K. Colker won the ace, and called for the K, where a low one would have worked much better. Abe, who had signalled moderate encouragement, won the blank ace and returned a low club. Colker judged correctly to put in the eight and Chen passed his second hurdle when he won with the nine, not the king. He cashed the K and exited with a spade, Colker winning the ace with the contract in sight. Alas. Abe showed out in diamonds and turned up with the K, so Rich went two down; minus 100. 2 imps to Hisatomi, 95-173.

Bd: 48 NORTH DLR: W A VUL: E/W Q1042 KQ873 K83 WEST EAST J985 76 75 AJ8 1062 AJ5 Q1074 AJ962 SOUTH KQ10432 K963 94 5

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hara Lasut Tatai Manoppo Pass 1(1) 1NT 2 All Pass < Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Kokish Abe Colker Chen Pass 1(1) 1NT 2(2) Pass 3 Pass 4 All Pass

Manoppo took eight tricks in his quiet 2; plus 110. Abe, in a more ambitious 4, came close on ther lead of the A and a club continuation. He threw a spade from dummy (why not a diamond, Abe-san?), won the king, and led a trump to the nine. Now a spade to the ace for a second heart play. Colker won the ace and played a third club forcing dummy. When Abe played a diamond to the king and ace, Colker could return his remaining trump, and Abe was a trick short. That spade discard from dummy had been fatal. One down; minus 50. 4 imps to Indonesia, who won the set 62-48, much to the relief of your editors, who had done rather poorly against Abe-Chen. With sixteen boards remaining, the Indonesian lead looked insurmountable at 82 imps, 177-95.

The deals in this segment were not the ones that the trailing team was hoping for, with a significant number of unstoppable games. There were only two major swings and they both went to Indonesia.
Bd: 52 NORTH DLR: W 8 VUL: Both AKJ43 742 J1053 WEST EAST AKQ10763 --- 2 Q107 5 AKQJ103 KQ76 A842 SOUTH J9542 9865 986 9	Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Teramoto Asbi Hisatomi Sacul 4(1) Pass 5(2) Pass 6 All Pass (1) strong 4 opening with solid spades; (2) Ask in ; (3) second round control Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Lasut Abe Manoppo Chen 4 All Pass The contract you'd like to reach with the E/W cards is 6, but that's not so easy to do after West opens 4 or even a strong variant, as Teramoto did. Lasut took eleven tricks in 4 after a two rounds of hearts.
Hisatomi tried for slam with an asking bid in hearts, and would have scored a coup if Teramoto's response had been something below 6. 6 is not a terrible slam, but the bad trump break killed it here. Two down; minus 200. 13 imps to Indonesia.

Bd: 61 NORTH DLR: N 9 VUL: Both Q63 K10965 9542 WEST EAST J10853 K642 KJ105 A974 4 A732 J87 3 SOUTH AQ7 82 QJ8 AKQ106

Open Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Teramoto Asbi Hisatomi Sacul Pass 1 DBL 1 Pass 2 2NT Pass 3NT All Pass Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Lasut Abe Manoppo Chen Pass Pass 1(1) Pass 1(2) Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3 Pass 3NT All Pass (1) Strong; (2) Negative

When Manoppo passed the East hand, he deprived himself of the opportunity to learn about his partner's spade length. When his opponents reached 3NT, Eddy led an innocent fourth-best heart, and the defenders gobbled up four tricks there. The A was the setting trick; minus 100. At the other table, Hisatomi-Teramoto competed to 2 after Hisatomi had opened the bidding, and now Sacul declared 3NT from the South side, having bid a lot with a moderate hand. Here the opening lead was the jack of spades, which ran to the queen. The J held the next trick, and when Sacul continued diamonds, Teramoto signalled with the 5, encouraging. Alas, that blocked the suit, so a heart switch would not have defeated the contract in any event. Hisatomi ducked the second diamond, however, to shut out the suit, but Sacul cashed his clubs for nine tricks; plus 600. 12 imps to Indonesia. To defeat the contract legitimately, West must signal in a side suit, Lavinthal or Roman style. The 10 would do the job nicely here, telling East to switch to a low heart from the right holding.

Bd: 63 NORTH DLR: S A87 VUL: N/S A9 KJ852 1053 WEST EAST K3 QJ1042 72 J83 AQ9643 7 A87 QJ62 SOUTH 965 KQ10654 10 K94

The only other significant swing came on the penultimate deal, when Indonesia defeated 3 in one room and 3 in the other. 6 imps. Indonesia won the final segment, 40-10, and won the 1997 NEC Cup 217-105. In the two quarters that the four Indonesians played together, they outscored their opponents 93-22. Henky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo played every board in the knockout stage and most of the deals in the round robin. In the last two days of the tournament, their results were simply outstanding. Denny Sacul and Taufik Asbi are a near partnership, still feeling their way with one another, but they too played better and better as the tournament wore on. There is reason to hope that they will be a key element in Indonesia's drive to do one place better than they did in Rhodes in the next World Championship.

We were delighted to be part of the Indonesian team and, as we expected, found our teammates to be great fun and easy to play with. Our bridge was hot and cold, but we never felt anything but warm when we compared with the boys. We hope that you can all say the same about your teammates in 1997.