This spectacular deal arose in the 1993 playoff between Mexico and Canada to determine which of the two countries would play in the Venice Cup world women’s teams later that year. Canada won the match by a comfortable margin despite being on the wrong end of the deal at both tables.

When Mexico’s Luisa Grinberg and Laura Mariscal held the North-South cards, the bidding went as shown. The Canadian West elected not to act initially with her 7-5 distribution, no doubt planning to enter the auction at her next turn.

This strategy backfired, however, when her next chance to bid came over five diamonds, at which point she decided to leave well enough alone. With the club queen falling singleton, Mariscal had no trouble making her contract, losing only the two red aces for plus 600.

At the other table, with Elena Brucilovsky and Bronia Nosnik of Mexico sitting East-West, Nosnik opened the West hand with one spade, leading to this auction:

South could have saved the day by removing her partner’s second double to five diamonds or four notrump (asking North to choose a minor), but she elected to pass. The contract could have been defeated, but North led the king of diamonds rather than a top club. Nosnik discarded her losing club on the diamond ace and lost only the A-Q of spades and king of hearts to finish with ten tricks.

Plus 590 at this table gave Mexico a total gain of 1,190 points, or 15 IMPs, on the deal.

Tomorrow: A tale of two tricks.