V N Ramamoorthy
Ladies and Gentlemen
If anyone has not heard of, or read Victor Mollo, you are yet to graduate in Bridge.
Victor Mollo, an all time great British bridge player, has won almost all the coveted tournaments.
His books "Bridge in the Menagerie", "Card play techniques" , "Bridge in the 4th Dimensions" all are masterly works.
Another great book from him is titled "You Never need to lose in Bridge"... Which inspired me to recall this anecdote about Victor Mollo himself!
Once Victor, after playing a gruelling tournament, wanted a break and joined a cruise for unwinding.
On the second morning, after a relaxed long breakfast, he went to the upper deck for a sun bath.
The deck was empty except for a small table in the corner and 3 men ( crew of the ship) with a pack of cards and few beer bottles.
They saw Victor sauntering around and hailed him " Hey Buddy, do you know to play bridge? Our 4th has been called to the Engine room, can you step in till he joins? "
Victor said sure and joined. Cards were dealt and the opponents freely bid to a grand slam. Victor's partner doubled, and his RHO promptly redoubled!
The dealer casually remarked " Buddy our stakes are reasonable, we play just £100 per point "🙃
From the bidding and his cards, Victor felt, by progressive squeeze the GS was on! He made a mental calculation what would cost him, GS, X, XX made and he shuddered!
And he wasn't sure whether these palookas know about progressive squeezes 😢. Suppose the declarer unwittingly employs the line of play and lands the Grand? 🙃
The declarer said, " Hey you are on lead". Victor turned to him and said " I didn't have my breakfast, feeling a bit queasy, can you get me a sandwich before we get on with the play? "... The shippie said " What a pity.. Just hold on, I will get you one on the Double ( or Redouble? 😢).
Meantime other three were engaged in small chat about their work, sandwich arrived. Victor smoothly slipped one of his cards inside the sandwich, chewed and ate the sandwich, with a few sips of beer!
Now the declarer egged him on " I am on a grand slam and you are on the lead, pal "..
Victor picked up his cards, calmly counted them and exclaimed " I have only 12 cards... " There were cries of disappointment and the deal was cancelled for a redeal with another pack of cards.
Just then the original 4th returned to the table and Victor politely excused himself and wandered off with relief 😌.
Next time your opponents reach a Grand, just order a sandwich 😀.
Happy bridging,
Cheers
VNR
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.
Sorry vnr, but this is attributed to hog in one of mollo’s books. Your attribution to mollo himself is pushing the envelope of poetic license a little too far.
let me add a reply to that funny story about a grand Slam and a sandwich with a poetic rhyme!
Twas a fine and fair morn, when Victor Mollo
Sat to play a game of bridge, oh so jollo.
His opponents, with a haughty air,
Declared a grand slam bid, with nary a care.
But Victor, with a twinkle in his eye,
Reached for his trusty sandwich, so sly.
With a bite of his ham and cheese,
Victor’s mind was put at ease.
He played his cards with a steady hand,
His opponents’ lead, he did withstand.
He trumped and he finessed, with great finesse,
And soon the grand slam bid, was nothing but a mess.
Victor and his partner, emerged victorious,
Their opponents, left in a state most auspicious.
For the power of a sandwich, can never be denied,
It’s the secret weapon of all bridge-playing champions, glorified.
And so, as the game came to a close,
Victor Mollo’s sandwich, did much more than compose.
It was the key to his victory, a true delight,
Eating a sandwich, was the ultimate delight.
No sir, what you are insinuating is that Mr Mollo was willing to cheat to win. This amounts to slander. I’m sure Mr Mollo’s estate would be willing to act should it come to their notice.
Their action apart, your willingness to play with the reputation of legends of this game of ours is simply reprehensible. An apology, and taking this post down would be the least you could do. And bfh can’t wash it’s hands off simply by stating that views are that of the author.
The incident narrated here is a part of ‘ Hog the Horrible ‘ story from Menagerie. Why it is scripted on Mollo himself & reality is unfathomable . Hope one values original writing !
Yes Sandeep, I concede your point.
Intention was to make it interesting for the audience. Yes I stretched the poetic licence a bit, thanks 🙏
VNR
Thanks Vijit, your encore is better than my blog and story. Kudos! ✌
VNR