Day 2 of the 2025 APBF Championships dawned as what seems to be a typical day in Hefei at this time of year. Fairly warm but rather smog affected (we are yet to see a blue sky). The bridge started a little like the air quality.

Match 4 vs China (Phil & Terry, David & Maurits)

China are a very strong bridge country as they proved to us with a 70 IMP loss (7-77) for 0 VPs.

6 of our 7 IMPs were apparently won as the result of a bidding misunderstanding by one of our pairs. We were comprehensively outplayed in this match and could only use it as practice for recovering from disaster (this is called searching for the silver lining!).

Match 5 vs Hong Kong China (David & Maurits, Hugh & George)

Hong Kong China are a team that is experienced but has some new players. One of our opponents, S.S. Chan informed me that he had only learned to play bridge in his 60s. His partner Ashley Lung played on a Hong Kong team that were my first opponents in a world championship match in the 1992 Olympiad in Salsomaggiore in Italy!

An interesting match that we won by 19 IMPs (41-22) for 15.06 VPs.

Many people think that bridge matches are won and lost on the big hands. This may often be the case but I have often seen that the small hands have a big impact. In this match there were 4 game swings for 24 IMPs in and 22 IMPs out, i.e. a nett gain of 2 IMPS. The rest of the margin was all the small hands.

Match 6 vs Korea (Hugh & George, Phil & Terry)

Korea are historically one of the weaker teams and have struggled in this event so far (6.57 VPs from 5 matches). Australia has a history of failing to capitalise against the weaker teams. We are favourites but the pressure is on to perform.

The hands seemed a little flat so there was some concern at the score-up. Happily, it was a big win by 70 IMPs (70-0) for 20 VPs. A very good way to finish the second day after a dismal start.

The scores are still close. We are 4th but only about 8 VPs from Indonesia who are first. We are ahead of the two teams that have beaten us. Tomorrow morning is the last match of the first round robin against our arch enemy New Zealand. Pride and position are at stake.

In the Open Teams Australia are leading narrowly from Chinese Taipei with Singapore about 10 back.

The Womens team are coming fourth but are about 30 VPs behind a very strong Chinese team who are leading.

The Mixed team are struggling a little coming 8th out of 10 teams, about 55 VPs behind the Chinese team who have established a good lead at this point in the event.

All the scores and hands are available here.