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Great Bridge Disasters

Tony's adventures - Part I
By Mark Horton

Many famous players have been involved in a total disaster, but few have encountered more than one. One notable exception is England's Tony Forrester, who has experienced both sides of the coin. This is what happened when Great Britain faced Sweden in the semi final of the 1987 Bermuda Bowl.

Dealer South Game All

			10 6
			7 6 5
			A K 7 3
			A 7 6 4
	J	N   W E   S			A K 8 5 4
	3				Q J 10 2
	J 10 9 8 6 4				Q 5
	K Q 8 5 2				10 3
			Q 9 7 3 2
			A K 9 8 4
			2
			J 9

West	North	East	South
Fallenius	Forrester	Lindkvist	Armstrong
2NT*	Pass	3*	Pass
Pass	3NT	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Re-dbl	All Pass

John Armstrong and Tony Forrester were playing TRS - The Random System, very aptly named! - and the opening bid showed 7-10 points, and a two suiter excluding clubs. Three Hearts asked South to pass or correct, and when he passed, the fun started. West bid Three No-Trumps, thinking it would be clear to his partner that he had the minors, as he had not bid on the first round. When North doubled, East, with quite a good hand but no preference for either minor, was content to pass. West now dug his own grave with his redouble. Four Diamonds would have been much safer, and less expensive! When a confused East passed the redouble, the defenders showed no mercy, ensuring that the West hand took only one trick, and claiming a penalty of 2800 for five down, redoubled and vulnerable.

It cost a massive 21 IMPs, and put Great Britain on their way to the final. Next time we will see Tony at the table when the boot was on the other foot.