I have known Sheehan for longer than any other top player still around; he is extremely experienced and his choice of bid set the scene for a swing.

To see the actual board as it was recorded on BBO with running commentaries (both rooms) click here: Vu-graph 21402 Board 29.

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This deal shows to me the difference between world class players such as Zia and Sheehan who are both very experienced rubber bridge players and the more theoretical players.

Sheehan did not open as North with his “Ace open” six card heart suit; I know that this view is possibly in the minority but look at the different results.

East, Hinden, was constrained by their system to open 1♣ which distorts the values. Zia’s pragmatic 1NT overcall and conversion of 3♥ to 3NT has to be “on the money”. 

The play only requires reasonable care – ducking the second diamond trick would let the opponents attack hearts and establish five tricks before declarer can make a spade. On the bidding East is odds-on to have only three clubs.

In the other room the bidding went:

How to Play:

There is a chinese say:
'An image is worth 1000 words!'

You may want to take the
Online Player Guided Tour

1 - Bidding: Click the 'Play' button in the middle of the page to display the bidding box.

When you are ready, click the 'Start Bidding' button.

When a bid is alerted, it is shown on a yellow background. You can then click that bid to display the related alert.

When there is a comment or a question about your own bid, you can read it on the bidding box comments pane, and then, click the 'Ok' button to continue bidding.

Click 'Close Bidding Box' to proceed to playing the hand.

2 - Playing: The lead is automatic if you are declarer, otherwise you'll see the 'It's your lead' warning in the center pane.

You will play your cards and dummy's as if you were at a live table.

2.1 -Touching cards are considered equivalent! e.g. if you have 876 and you play the 7 while Vu-Bridge expects you to play the 6, then the 7 will blink and the 6 will be played.

2.2 -Sometimes there will be a comment or question during the play.
You should read it and click the 'Click to continue' button at the top of the comment text.

If its a question, there will be a 'Show Answer' button to click at the bottom of the comment panel.

2.3 - When a comment bears a 'Finish flag' button, you can click it to reveal hidden hands and continue playing. We use this to explain technical coups like end-plays, squeezes etc.

2.4 - You can review the last trick by clicking on the last won or lost trick (back of card) at the bottom of the screen. The last trick will show during 3 seconds and then play will continue.

2.5 - You can click the 'Undo last trick' button at the let of the screen in order to redo one or several tricks and review the attached comments.
You can review the auction by clicking the 'Auction' tab in the same area.
3 - Moving the comment panel:

When the mouse hover the dark green background of the bidding box or the comment panel, you'll see a crosshair cursor and you can drag and move it around the page.

The left and right arrows on the top left corner of the comment panel allows you to increase or reduce the width for better readability.

4 - When a hand is finished, you can click the 'Board List' at the top of the comment panel, and play other hands From the same Series.

To play other Series, visit the Vu-Bridge's home page and click the 'Bridge Hands' button.