{"id":124407,"date":"2026-01-13T15:29:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=124407"},"modified":"2026-01-13T15:30:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:30:04","slug":"channel-trophy-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/channel-trophy-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Waffles and doubles at the Channel Trophy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header-Channel-Trophy.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A fun Belgian weekend ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s Margaux Kurek-Beaulieu from the U26 team! <\/strong>We&#8217;re off to the traditional Channel Trophy, a not-to-be-missed annual event bringing together young bridge players from <strong>Belgium, the Netherlands, England and France<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-08a1ac9\" data-block-id=\"08a1ac9\"><style>.stk-08a1ac9 .stk--block-align-08a1ac9{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-08a1ac9 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-08a1ac9-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-38f5d27\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"38f5d27\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-38f5d27 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 33.3% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-38f5d27-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-38f5d27-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124301\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-8.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-8-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-62ffe60\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"62ffe60\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-62ffe60 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 66.7% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-62ffe60-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-62ffe60-inner-blocks\">\n<p>This year, no need to be on the &#8220;train team&#8221; to avoid flying: the Channel Trophy took place in <strong>Leuven<\/strong>, Belgium, a destination easily accessible from France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Gr\u00e9goire and Ma\u00ebva\u2014who, like me, live near <strong>Lille<\/strong>\u2014, we chose to stop by <strong>Brussels<\/strong> before heading to Leuven.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This even allowed us to do some sightseeing: a must-see visit to the <strong>Grand-Place<\/strong>, chips and waffles of course, a few improvised deals\u2026 and, to finish, a real treasure hunt to find the <strong>Christmas market<\/strong>. We were told it was the <strong>biggest in Europe<\/strong>, but we had a bit of trouble finding it \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-1e13827\" data-block-id=\"1e13827\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-1e13827-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a68041c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a68041c\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a68041c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a68041c-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.54-3-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124298\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.54-3-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.54-3-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.54-3-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.54-3.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-437ce55\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"437ce55\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-437ce55-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-437ce55-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124317\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-1.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-340a7d9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"340a7d9\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-340a7d9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-340a7d9-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124313\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.55-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-050807d\" data-block-id=\"050807d\"><style>.stk-050807d {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A deal played by L\u00e9o Rombaut (U26 team)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-04f3728\" data-block-id=\"04f3728\"><style>.stk-04f3728 .stk--block-align-04f3728{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-04f3728 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-04f3728-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d18293c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d18293c\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-d18293c {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 33.3% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d18293c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d18293c-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124350\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-9.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-1-9-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6a33a97\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6a33a97\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-6a33a97 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 66.7% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6a33a97-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6a33a97-inner-blocks\">\n<p><strong>Hi, it&#8217;s L\u00e9o!<\/strong> You may have already seen me on Funbridge in articles or <strong>Beat the Star<\/strong> tournaments. This time, I&#8217;m taking part in a <strong>more relaxed<\/strong> competition, the <strong>Channel Trophy<\/strong>, in the <strong>U26 <\/strong>category. I&#8217;m playing with <strong>Pierre B\u00e9edouet<\/strong>, as part of a team made up of <strong>Margaux, Far\u00e8s, Romain and Arthur<\/strong>, one of my best friends.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-2bf2c23\" data-block-id=\"2bf2c23\"><style>.stk-2bf2c23 {height:22px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Against the Belgians, when avoiding a finesse becomes the best line of play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-e99106e\" data-block-id=\"e99106e\"><style>.stk-e99106e .stk--block-align-e99106e{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-e99106e stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-e99106e-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-53162ad\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"53162ad\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-53162ad-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-53162ad-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"933\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-11-933x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-11-933x1024.png 933w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-11-273x300.png 273w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-11-768x843.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-11.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a0f7485\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a0f7485\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a0f7485-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a0f7485-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-17.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-17-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-17-768x614.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On the lead, my opponent plays the <strong>2 of diamonds<\/strong> (odd-even). His partner wins with the <strong>ace<\/strong> and plays the<strong> queen of diamonds<\/strong>. I ruff. At this point, my objective is clear: I would like to be in the dummy to take the <strong>finesse in spades<\/strong>. But I have a real problem managing my trumps: I have already ruffed once in my long suit, and I fear that the next time I lose the lead, the defence will return a diamond. If I ruff again and then draw three rounds of trumps, I risk ending up with no trumps <strong>in my hand or in the dummy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I decide to start with the <strong>club finesse<\/strong>\u2026 which fails: my RHO wins with the <strong>king<\/strong>. As expected, he plays a diamond, I ruff, and then I see the <strong>king of diamonds<\/strong> in my opponent&#8217;s hand. Given the way West followed with a diamond, I believe that the distribution is 3-6 among the defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I now manage to take all my spades\u2014if the suit is <strong>3-2<\/strong> with the queen-doubleton\u2014, I can win the contract with <strong>5 tricks in spades, 3 in clubs, plus the ace-king of hearts<\/strong>. And if I lose the <strong>queen of spades<\/strong>, I can always fall back on a <strong>finesse in hearts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I first cash the <strong>ace of spades<\/strong> and see the <strong>10<\/strong> in West. I know that this 10 can be played with <strong>10-9<\/strong>, or even <strong>10-x<\/strong>, to try to mislead the declarer. I could try the spade finesse\u2026 but I see a safer plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I play the <strong>king of spades<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the <strong>queen<\/strong> falls, the contract is won.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the queen is tripleton, I will have a <strong>good throw-in chance<\/strong>. Indeed, after cashing all my clubs, if a defender ruffs, they will be forced either to play a diamond (and give me a ruff and discard), or to give me another chance to take <strong>a finesse in hearts<\/strong> to get the 10<sup>th<\/sup> trick.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I will then only go down if the queen is tripleton in spades and the queen-10 of hearts are moved<\/strong>, as I will have the chance of having the 10 on my left before trying the &#8220;normal&#8221; finesse. So I choose this plan\u2026 and <strong>bingo!<\/strong> I don&#8217;t even need the throw-in, <strong>the queen of spades was doubleton<\/strong> and fell. <strong>Phew, if I had tried the spade finesse, no more throw-in would have been possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-47a3996\" data-block-id=\"47a3996\"><style>.stk-47a3996 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Girls team&#8217;s journey with \u00c9lise Nugues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-2afedb7\" data-block-id=\"2afedb7\"><style>.stk-2afedb7 .stk--block-align-2afedb7{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-2afedb7 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-2afedb7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-ce320d2\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"ce320d2\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-ce320d2 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 33.3% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-ce320d2-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-ce320d2-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-3-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124302\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-3-2.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-3-2-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f1ed48a\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f1ed48a\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-f1ed48a {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 66.7% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f1ed48a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f1ed48a-inner-blocks\">\n<p>Hi, I&#8217;m <strong>\u00c9lise<\/strong>. I&#8217;m <strong>19 years old<\/strong>, I&#8217;m a <strong>medical student<\/strong>, and I&#8217;ve been part of the <strong>Girls<\/strong> team for <strong>two and a half years<\/strong> now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024, I had the chance to be part of the <strong>European champion<\/strong> team: it was my very first championship with the French bridge team, and I hope to experience <strong>many more<\/strong> in the future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-038700b\" data-block-id=\"038700b\"><style>.stk-038700b {height:22px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deal 1 vs Denmark: a nice 7-4!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a deal from the second half of our very first match <strong>against Denmark<\/strong>, a <strong>reference in the world of bridge<\/strong>, runners-up in the last European Team Championships, <strong>just behind us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My usual partner <strong>Eulalie<\/strong> couldn&#8217;t arrive until Saturday afternoon, so I played this half with <strong>Zoey<\/strong>, a team-mate with whom I have already <strong>competed many times<\/strong>. I&#8217;m sitting North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-a682424\" data-block-id=\"a682424\"><style>.stk-a682424 .stk--block-align-a682424{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-a682424 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-a682424-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c2bccc9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c2bccc9\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c2bccc9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c2bccc9-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1022\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4-1024x1022.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4-1024x1022.png 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4-768x767.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-3-4.png 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-97d4e83\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"97d4e83\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-97d4e83-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-97d4e83-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-2.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-2-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-2-768x614.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I decided to respond <strong>1&#x2660;<\/strong>, looking for a <strong>possible double fit<\/strong>: my hand was clearly too good for a <strong>5<span style=\"color: #267715;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span><\/strong> pre-emptive bid, especially given the presence of <strong>two red singletons<\/strong>. Very quickly, we realised that a <strong>slam<\/strong> might be possible for the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the <strong>2&#x2660;<\/strong> response, I now know that there is a <strong>double fit<\/strong>, which seems particularly <strong>promising<\/strong>. We finally end up in <strong>5<span style=\"color: #267715;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span><\/strong> <strong>doubled<\/strong>, and, confident that I have a solid fit, I pass the double fairly <strong>calmly<\/strong>. But as East has already shown us quite a good hand, slam ambitions quickly <strong>fade<\/strong> <strong>away<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, with West leading the <strong>3 of spades<\/strong>, Zoey can do nothing. East knows West has a singleton spade. The opponents then cash <strong>three aces<\/strong> and add <strong>two ruffs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Result: <strong>5<span style=\"color: #267715;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>X -3<\/strong>, or <strong>-800<\/strong>, while our partners score <strong>+420<\/strong> playing in <strong>4<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span> =<\/strong>.<br>So we lose <strong>9 IMPs <\/strong>on the deal\u2026 and, in the end, we also lose the <strong>match<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-deba5ed\" data-block-id=\"deba5ed\"><style>.stk-deba5ed {height:20px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deal 2 vs the Netherlands: this time it&#8217;s my turn to double!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a<strong> second deal<\/strong>, this time from the <strong>first half<\/strong> of our third match. We&#8217;re now playing against the Dutch. Ma\u00ebva, my partner in the last championships\u2014with whom I won the <strong>European Girls&#8217; Pairs Championships<\/strong> among other things\u2014, is sitting <strong>South<\/strong>, while I remain in <strong>North<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-74e8a1a\" data-block-id=\"74e8a1a\"><style>.stk-74e8a1a .stk--block-align-74e8a1a{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-74e8a1a stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-74e8a1a-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3088731\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3088731\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3088731-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3088731-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1022\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5-1024x1022.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5-1024x1022.png 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5-768x767.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-2-5.png 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-4b0ec8b\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"4b0ec8b\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-4b0ec8b-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-4b0ec8b-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-3.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-3-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-3-768x614.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>West overcalls with <strong>1&#x2660;<\/strong> on Ma\u00ebva&#8217;s opening bid, whereas she only has <strong>five points <\/strong>and is <strong>vulnerable<\/strong>\u2014no doubt because she has a <strong>two-suiter with diamonds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Ma\u00ebva rebids hearts, which guarantees a <strong>six-card<\/strong> suit, I decide to show the fit by bidding <strong>3<strong><span style=\"color: #fe0202;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>, believing that my points are <strong>well placed<\/strong>. The opponent then bids up to <strong>3&#x2660;<\/strong>. <strong>I double, confident in my aces<\/strong>, my <strong>king of diamonds<\/strong>, and my <strong>spade holding<\/strong> (four cards, including the <strong>jack and 10<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I lead the <strong>ace of diamonds<\/strong>. Ma\u00ebva follows with the <strong>4<\/strong>, a <strong>preference card for hearts<\/strong>, <strong>as the dummy has a<\/strong> <strong>singleton diamond<\/strong>. I then play the<strong> jack of hearts<\/strong>, which Ma\u00ebva wins with the ace, then she plays the <strong>king and queen of hearts<\/strong>. The declarer ruffs with the <strong>6<\/strong>, <strong>but I over-ruff<\/strong>. We have already taken <strong>four tricks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Ma\u00ebva has played the <strong>queen of hearts<\/strong> back to me, I return the <strong>2 of diamonds<\/strong>, forcing the declarer to ruff with the <strong>queen of spades<\/strong>, which allows me to take <strong>an extra trick<\/strong> in spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The opponent then plays the <strong>ace and king of clubs<\/strong>, on which a diamond is discarded, then the <strong>jack of clubs<\/strong>: ruffed in South and over-ruffed with the <strong>7<\/strong>. She then plays another diamond, ruffed, then a club from the dummy: the <strong>4 of spades<\/strong> in South, the <strong>8<\/strong> in West, and the <strong>jack<\/strong> in my hand. All I have to do is cash the <strong>king of diamonds<\/strong> before the declarer does the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Result: <strong>3&#x2660;X -2<\/strong>, or <strong>+500<\/strong>. At the other table, the opponents score <strong>3<span style=\"color: #fe0202;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span> =<\/strong>, or <strong>+140<\/strong>. We therefore score <strong>8 IMPs<\/strong> on the deal and win the match <strong>45 to 22 IMPs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-1f78a55\" data-block-id=\"1f78a55\"><style>.stk-1f78a55 {height:20px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-0f64f04\" data-block-id=\"0f64f04\"><style>.stk-0f64f04 .stk--block-align-0f64f04{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-0f64f04 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-0f64f04-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-4e2d7ea\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"4e2d7ea\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-4e2d7ea-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-4e2d7ea-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50-1024x870.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50-1024x870.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50-300x255.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50-768x652.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50-1536x1305.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.50.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-fa120dd\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"fa120dd\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-fa120dd-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-fa120dd-inner-blocks\">\n<p>In the end, we finished the competition in <strong>second place<\/strong> behind <strong>Denmark<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From left to right: \u00c9lise Nugues, Zoey Mauberquez, Eulalie Bonin, Ninon Bens, Maeva Bultel, Saveria Garcia and Marion Canonne (captain).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-d2ccc66\" data-block-id=\"d2ccc66\"><style>.stk-d2ccc66 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saturday night&#8217;s Secret Santa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every year, the Channel Trophy is also an opportunity to share a lighter moment thanks to a tradition that is very important to us: <strong>Secret Santa<\/strong> organised between the three teams. The principle is simple: we draw names at random and give a gift to that person during the weekend. It&#8217;s always a very <strong>convivial moment<\/strong>, allowing us to spend some time with everyone <strong>(dressed up!)<\/strong>. This year special mention goes to <strong>Eulalie&#8217;s stewed fruits from Th\u00e9o<\/strong>. He even went so far as to stick Eulalie&#8217;s heads on the original Pom&#8217;Potes characters represented on the packaging\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-f4dbfad\" data-block-id=\"f4dbfad\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-f4dbfad-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-fb3c1f7\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"fb3c1f7\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-fb3c1f7-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-fb3c1f7-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"843\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-843x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124306\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-843x1024.jpeg 843w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-247x300.jpeg 247w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-768x933.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1265x1536.jpeg 1265w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53.jpeg 1455w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 843px) 100vw, 843px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-92ea65f\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"92ea65f\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-92ea65f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-92ea65f-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"995\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-3-1-995x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124307\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-3-1-995x1024.jpeg 995w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-3-1-291x300.jpeg 291w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-3-1-768x790.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-3-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6b8b67d\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6b8b67d\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6b8b67d-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6b8b67d-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.51-975x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124308\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.51-975x1024.jpeg 975w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.51-286x300.jpeg 286w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.51-768x807.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.51.jpeg 1190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-425fcfc\" data-block-id=\"425fcfc\"><style>.stk-425fcfc {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News from the U21 team with Gr\u00e9goire and Th\u00e9o<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hi, we&#8217;re Gr\u00e9goire and Th\u00e9o, aka the tourist duo!<\/strong> We&#8217;ve been playing together for just over a year and for the <strong>French youth team<\/strong> for several years. We&#8217;re <strong>16 and 18 years old<\/strong> respectively, and our passion is obviously bridge, but also the hotel breakfast at every competition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Context:<\/strong> we are currently <strong>top of the rankings <\/strong>and are starting our return match against England, that is the <strong>fifth of six matches <\/strong>at the Channel Trophy. It&#8217;s a <strong>decisive <\/strong>match: England is our <strong>direct competitor<\/strong>, just a few points behind us. We are in the <strong>second set<\/strong>, and after the first one (9 deals), we are <strong>6 IMPs<\/strong> behind. In other words, <strong>we absolutely must score.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-d649f4e\" data-block-id=\"d649f4e\"><style>.stk-d649f4e {height:25px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deal 1 played by Gr\u00e9goire in South: a pre-empt&#8230; that opens the door to the slam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-07e4b1d\" data-block-id=\"07e4b1d\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-07e4b1d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-ef6cf73\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"ef6cf73\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-ef6cf73 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-ef6cf73-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-ef6cf73-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6ac2737\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6ac2737\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-6ac2737 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 50% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6ac2737-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6ac2737-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"986\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-12-1024x986.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-12-1024x986.png 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-12-300x289.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-12-768x740.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-12.png 1140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f86f4cb\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f86f4cb\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-f86f4cb {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f86f4cb-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f86f4cb-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To my left, the English player chooses to open <strong>2<span style=\"color: #ff8401;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong>, a bid which, in their system, corresponds to a <strong>weak pre-emptive bid<\/strong> with <strong>six diamonds<\/strong>. He does so with a very light hand, probably encouraged by <strong>favourable vulnerability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-2725a6c\" data-block-id=\"2725a6c\"><style>.stk-2725a6c .stk--block-align-2725a6c{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-2725a6c stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-2725a6c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-67a2da8\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"67a2da8\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-67a2da8 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 33.3% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-67a2da8-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-67a2da8-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124303\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-12.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-12-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3051be9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3051be9\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-3051be9 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 66.7% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3051be9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3051be9-inner-blocks\">\n<p>On this opening, Th\u00e9o has a <strong>huge hand <\/strong>and immediately doubles with the intention of showing hearts later. The RHO passes and it&#8217;s my turn to bid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with only <strong>6 HCPs<\/strong>, I have an exceptional <strong>seven-card suit in spades<\/strong>, which prompts me to jump to <strong>4&#x2660; <\/strong>over my partner&#8217;s double. The sequence then quickly leads us to slam.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-6f2c97f\" data-block-id=\"6f2c97f\"><style>.stk-6f2c97f .stk--block-align-6f2c97f{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-6f2c97f stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-6f2c97f-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5350a0a\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5350a0a\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5350a0a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5350a0a-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-3.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-3-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-3-768x614.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-b926250\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"b926250\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-b926250-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-b926250-inner-blocks\">\n<p>So I play in <strong>6&#x2660;<\/strong>. On the lead, my LHO hesitates\u2026 and finally chooses the<strong> jack of diamonds<\/strong>, a fairly &#8220;natural&#8221; lead, without any information from his partner about clubs. For me, it&#8217;s a <strong>huge relief<\/strong>: when the dummy comes down, I immediately know that the contract is going to be very comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I win with the ace, <strong>draw trumps<\/strong>, then I can discard my losers on hearts. I finally take<strong> 13 tricks<\/strong> for a superb score of <strong>6&#x2660; +1<\/strong>, which earns us <strong>15 IMPs<\/strong> on the deal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It should be noted that if West had not opened <strong>2<strong><span style=\"color: #ff8401;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>, East would probably have been able to bid his <strong>clubs<\/strong>, and North would then have had to bid <strong>6&#x2660;<\/strong> from his hand to avoid being played through in clubs. Here, paradoxically, the pre-emptive opening made the defence <strong>more blind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-7552e09\" data-block-id=\"7552e09\"><style>.stk-7552e09 {height:20px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deal 2 played by Th\u00e9o in North: a tense contract won thanks to the theory of vacant spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-0707698\" data-block-id=\"0707698\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-0707698-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5f57137\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5f57137\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-5f57137 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5f57137-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5f57137-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-72d1159\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"72d1159\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-72d1159 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 50% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-72d1159-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-72d1159-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-6-1024x953.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-6-1024x953.png 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-6-300x279.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-6-768x715.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-6.png 1180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-291560b\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"291560b\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-291560b {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-291560b-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-291560b-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We use the <strong>playable 1<strong><span style=\"color: #ff8401;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong> convention, which shows<strong> at least four diamonds with two honours<\/strong>, with the exception of certain profiles (notably 4-4-4-1 singleton club).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c758f87\" data-block-id=\"c758f87\"><style>.stk-c758f87 .stk--block-align-c758f87{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-c758f87 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c758f87-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-db3395a\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"db3395a\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-db3395a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-db3395a-inner-blocks\">\n<p>This convention helps us <strong>find the fit more easily<\/strong> when the opponent interferes with the bidding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In South, we first show our four spades, then West jumps straight to <strong>4<span style=\"color: #ff1818;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong> with his &#8220;eight tricks off the top&#8221;. But Gr\u00e9goire is not impressed and signs off in <strong>5<strong><span style=\"color: #ff8401;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>, with complete confidence in his partner, who has already described some <strong>nice diamonds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-613e491\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"613e491\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-613e491-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-613e491-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-16.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-16-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-16-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-25f1354\" data-block-id=\"25f1354\"><style>.stk-25f1354 .stk--block-align-25f1354{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-25f1354 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-25f1354-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1c47c8c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1c47c8c\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-1c47c8c {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 33.3% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1c47c8c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1c47c8c-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-2-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124304\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-2-4.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Avatar_-2-4-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-26d1efc\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"26d1efc\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-26d1efc {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 66.7% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-26d1efc-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-26d1efc-inner-blocks\">\n<p>East leads the <strong>6 of hearts<\/strong> to partner&#8217;s queen, who returns the ace of clubs, then another club to my queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, <strong>the contract is almost assured<\/strong>. Given the bidding, it is clear that West does not have the queen tripleton in diamonds: this is the <strong>theory of vacant spaces<\/strong>. As West has already shown eight cards in hearts, he&#8217;s shorter in the other suits than his partner, who hasn&#8217;t shown any long suit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So I play the <strong>ace of diamonds<\/strong>, then seeing West discard, I know that all I have to do is take the <strong>finesse<\/strong> against East&#8217;s queen tripleton and claim <strong>11 tricks: contract successful<\/strong>, &#8220;just made&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-72704a0\" data-block-id=\"72704a0\"><style>.stk-72704a0 {height:20px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c9ab462\" data-block-id=\"c9ab462\"><style>.stk-c9ab462 .stk--block-align-c9ab462{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-c9ab462 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c9ab462-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-69a5161\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"69a5161\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-69a5161-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-69a5161-inner-blocks\">\n<p>Two more excellent deals in this crunch match. They allow us to win <strong>54-45<\/strong> and score <strong>12.42 VPs<\/strong>, putting us in <strong>first place <\/strong>with one match to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, nothing is decided yet: we&#8217;re only <strong>1 VP ahead<\/strong> of the Dutch and <strong>5<\/strong> ahead of the English. In fact, <strong>we finished second, just a few points behind England.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From left to right: Robin Farissier, Gr\u00e9goire Duterte, Costa Benguigui, Th\u00e9o Exbrayat, Donatella Halfon (captain), Xavier Roull\u00e9, Blanche Legras.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-57349d6\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"57349d6\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-57349d6-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-57349d6-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"950\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1-1024x950.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1-1024x950.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1-300x278.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1-768x713.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1-1536x1425.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-01-08-at-14.22.53-1.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-67989fc\" data-block-id=\"67989fc\"><style>.stk-67989fc {height:40px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, what did you think of this collaborative article?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like the format, please let us know! It will encourage our budding authors \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key deals and Secret Santa: behind the scenes of the Channel Trophy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136225,"featured_media":124419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14909,14917],"tags":[14481],"access":[],"class_list":["post-124407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bridge-news","category-bridge-tournaments","tag-bridge-news"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":5}},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Waffles and doubles at the Channel Trophy - Blog Funbridge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/channel-trophy-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Waffles and doubles at the Channel Trophy - 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