Bridge is a love affair which never dims. Even after all these years, it still excites and energises me – and I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I dream about it. Last week, for instance, I was watching the North American Bridge Championships from my laptop at home, when I saw a deal that fascinated me. I kept mulling it over and, that night, I dreamt I was desperate to find someone to tell. I was rushing from one person to another, but no one – not friends, nor family – showed the slightest interest.

So what a relief to be able to share it here, with fellow fanatics (see diagram).

3♠ showed the minors, 4NT was keycard, 5♥ asked for the trump Q, and 5NT offered a choice of slams. 6NT would have been better, but 6♣ makes so long as you cater for a 4-1 split. South led the ♠9 to dummy’s ♠A. Declarer – Israeli champion Ron Pachtman – played a club, but when North followed with the ♣5, he played the ♣A! Any 3-1 split was fine, so why didn’t he insert the ♣8 to cater for this layout? I assume he feared a ruff. Anyway, it’s always pleasing to see champions take the wrong view like the rest of us: one down.

At the other table, EW bid to 7NT. South led the ♦5. Declarer – American champion Kevin Bathurst – won with the ♦A, cashed the ♦Q, played a spade to the ♠A, and cashed two more diamonds. A club to North’s ♣9 and his ♣K showed the bad news. But it wasn’t over! He cashed the ♠KQ and the ♥Q, crossed to dummy’s ♥A, and on the ♥K, North was squeezed in spades and clubs.