Jeff Tang: scubasteve1975 "@" hotmail.com © 2007
Home > Articles > The 1997 Le Bridgeur Best Play of the Year

Here is the 1997 Le Bridgeur Best Play of the Year, played by Geir Helgemo. I know I am retelling a story but I think it's a great one.

Dlr: West Kaplan
Vul: Both973
9762
WestK1086East
8492QJ105
KQJ84A1053
5Helgemo3
K10753SAK62QJ64
H-
DAQJ9742
CA8

West
2
All Pass
Kaplan
Pass

East
4

Helgemo
6


West led the K and Helgemo ruffed. He drew one round of trumps and led a spade to the 7! East won and returned the 5, but Helgemo let it ride to the 9. If East had returned anything else, Helgemo could still cross to dummy and lead the 9 to finesse against East's remaining honors, smothering West's 8 in the process.