Bridge

Gunnar Hallberg is a tall, big-boned Viking of a player, who, three decades ago, decided to cross the North Sea to raid the high-stake bridge clubs of England. He’s lived here ever since, and Sweden’s loss, it turns out, has been our gain. He’s gone on to represent England numerous times in European and world championships (twice winning gold in the Seniors), and is a popular figure who’s always willing to lend his time and expertise to lesser players.

Now aged 80 (you’d never guess it), he’s still going strong, still playing for the England seniors and still a fearsome opponent at the rubber bridge table. You can find him at TGRs in London most weeks, and the game is always more fun when he’s in it. This deal cropped up recently; the stakes were £30 (per 100 points):

Gunnar’s 1NT overcall was a classic psyche: after seeing his partner pass, he pretended to have a strong balanced hand, intending to run to 2♦️ if doubled. It was what happened next that was so unusual: not many players would bid on to 3NT and then pass a double! When his partner bid 2NT over West’s 2♥️, however, Gunnar knew he must have seven or eight points. Those points were most likely in the minors. And he surely had length in the minors too, as he hadn’t overcalled 2♠️. So over East’s 3♥️, he bid 3NT.

West, as it happens, was the former England international Robert Sheehan, a superb and solid rubber-bridge player. But Gunnar didn’t panic-run. 3NT, he worked out, had as good a chance as 4♦️. And when Robert led the ♠️J, he was soon claiming 11 tricks and +750. Fortune favours the brave, as every Viking knows.