In recent years the Oxfordshire Bridge scene has been enriched by a group of Oxford University players, who are both talented (Junior International standard), and very pleasant to play against. Paul is a leading member of this set, and he has chosen two interesting hands for us.

Paul is currently doing post-doctorate research at the Department of Statistics (Oxford University). This is a three year post, and he is mainly doing research into mathematical genetics (with a small amount of teaching).

I asked Paul how he first started playing Bridge:

"I started when I was about 12, intially after watching my dad play rubber bridge (about once a month), and by playing on a computer program (which was good in that it made sure that you always played the hand- no reason my defence is so loose!)."

The first hand is from the regular County Pairs night (on Tuesday), where Paul found a very slick defence.

Declarer (South) plays in 5© after East/West have preempted in Spades (Paul is sitting East).

Steve Noble (West) leads a Spade to Paul's Jack, which declarer ruffs. Declarer runs © 9, which forces East's Ace, and then ruffs the Spade return. Now it is a simple matter of taking the trump finesse, and cashing 12 tricks. Unfortunately, when declarer plays a heart to dummy's © J this loses to the Queen! (Paul having started with the bare © A Q). Paul cashes a Spade, and declarer is one down.

 The second hand is from a County match against Staffordshire, where freak distribution produces a wonderful disaster. Paul is partnering his wife, Alex.