BRIDGE

The best

Andrew Robson

WHO is the best bridge player in the world? Although his bidding is a little old-fash- ioned, the expert who makes fewest errors in the card play is the American veteran Bob Hamman, who also has the most World Master Points. This week's hand from 1996 American Trials illustrates why Hamman would be many people's choice as World's best player: Dealer East Neither side vulnerable Q 8

V A 105

• 9 8 7 6 4 4J 9 2 4 A 9 4

4K J 2

N

• 9 8 7 6 3

W E

Q J 4 • A Q 103 * K J 5 2

8

4K 104

4 10 7

6 5 3

K 2

• --

4 A 7 6 5 3 South West North East INT 2+ 2V 34. pass 34 pass 54 pass pass pass double pass pass West doubled Hamman's 54 contract on the basis of holding two aces facing a part- ner who had opened the bidding. He led V8. Hamman won VK and led a to dummy's queen and East's king. East switched to a low •, ruffed by declarer, who led a second 4. West won 49 and led a second • ruffed by declarer. Declarer led a third 4, cuffing in dummy and noting the 3-3 split.

Having established his side suit, Ham- man now had to negotiate trumps without losing a trick. He led 4J from dummy, covered by the king, won by the ace and drawing West's 48. He led his second V to dummy's ace and led 49. East played low and Hamman paused for the first time was West's +8 a singleton, or did he start with 4108? Hamman played low from hand and when West discarded, he could ruff a • and draw East's 410 with his queen to land his doubled game.

How did Hamman know West had a sin- gleton 4? Considering the clues from the bidding and play to date, Hamman had an inferential count on West's hand — three 4s, five Vs and probably four •s — there- fore just one 4.