If I could play only one international tournament a year it would have to be the World Bridge Tour’s teams event held in mid-October in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen. Organised impeccably by Thomas Charlsen and Boye Brogeland, two of Norway’s finest players, this was the second time we have played in the city – and it ties with Biarritz as my favourite venue. Sixteen extremely good teams competed in a four-day round robin, four going to the finals and 12, including yours truly, playing in a one-day Swiss. The eventual winners, were a world-class Danish team who collected the trophy and the winner’s cheque.

Here is a hand I attempted to play like an expert. What a joke! (see diagram)

West led the ♦️2 to the Queen and my Ace and at first (and second) glance, dummy was  disappointing. I only had one precious entry to it and I needed to work out how best to use it. If trumps were 2-2 we were home, but if not I should study the 3-1 breaks.

I can pick up singleton Jack on my left if I play to the Queen or lay down the Queen from hand. But that’s just one layout; twice as likely is singleton Ace or King with West. Then I must start with a small Spade from hand and later enter dummy to pick up the suit. I painstakingly worked this out and of course went one down.

At the other table, Declarer was on autopilot. He went to dummy and played the first round of trumps from there. East went in with the King with the idea of getting a later diamond ruff and the joke was (as usual) on me.