It is important to watch every spot card that is played. Here is
an
example of how easy it is to miss one.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)
Hand #16
Dlr
E
Vul
E/W
AQ82
A10732
AK9
7
743
6
10764
QJ932
K965
Q
J82
AK1085
J10
KJ9854
Q53
64
West
North
East
South
1
2
Pass
4
All Pass
BIDDING: After South's
weak jump overcall, North had an easy raise to game.
PLAY: West led the queen of clubs followed by a low
diamond. Declarer saw his contract was not in jeopardy but this
was a pairs event so overtricks were important. The only other
possible loser was a spade and from the auction South knew the spade
king was in the East hand. His best play was to try to sneak one
past his opponent. He drew trumps and led the jack of spades to
the ace followed by a low spade toward his hand. East had not
been paying enough attention and wasn't sure what spade card his
partner had played. He finally decided that holding two spades,
declarer would have taken the finesse so he played low and South
wrapped up twelve tricks for a great result. West did play the
three of spades on the first lead of the suit. With the spade
deuce visible in dummy, this lowest card definitely showed an odd
number but East was not concentrating. In a matchpoint event, an
overtrick can be worth more than a grand slam that everyone bids.
Proper carding is difficult but you and your partner need to agree on
when to show attitude and when to show count.
