It was the club's Xmas party and needless to say,
The punch and the season had made us quite gay.
Now we're just raw novices, my partner and me.
We've only been playing six months, you see.
"Find your seats and shuffle," the director had said,
As visions of last place danced in my head.
When I checked our position, I went dry in the mouth.
We'd been assigned Table One - North and South.
Fate had decided to put us to the test -
With two grand masters sitting East and West.
We took our positions and said not a word,
But I'm certain our heartbeats could surely be heard.
I shuffled the cards and handed them out.
As North I was dealer, so it was my first shout.
I've been to some lessons, so although I was green,
I knew that to open - you must have thirteen.
I sorted my hand and counted, but alas -
With only ten points I had to pass.
And frankly - I thought this a shame -
As I'd never before had 13 Spades in a game.
My left-hand opponent, a big name in the city,
Opened two Clubs and I thought what a pity.
My partner, South, who was trembling with fear
Bid two Hearts in a voice hard to hear.
My right-hand opponent sat straight in his chair.
3 Diamonds was the bid he chose to declare.
Now I had a fair suit, but alas,
With no help in her Hearts - I had to pass.
My left-hand opponent now bid three Spades.
You can imagine how much I was amazed.
South, bid four Hearts and now I feared
That I can't play her suit if I end up on lead.
My right-hand opponent studied his hand,
And soon six No Trumps was his command.
It was my turn to bid - and just to save face,
I doubled - I knew they were missing an ace.
