Be Brave #07-34

IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

When the game is scored at matchpoints (pairs), players will take many risks to play 3NT rather than five of a minor. Here is a good example.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand #34
Dlr	E
Vul	E/W

	7
	Q95
	AQJ8752
	83

	A102
	108763
	K
	AJ96

	KJ643
	2
	3
	Q107542

	Q985
	AKJ4
	10964
	K

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1
Pass	2*	Pass	2NT
Pass	3NT	All Pass

*Natural with 10+ support points

BIDDING: Playing a five-card major system, South opened the bidding with 1

. Sitting North and looking at my own long diamond suit, I had a couple of options. I could jump to 3

to show a game going hand with diamond support and shortness in the spade suit. But, I finally decided to not give the opponents too much information and instead made a forcing raise in diamonds. Next, South bid 2NT showing 12-13 points and stoppers in the other suits. Hoping to provide at least seven tricks, I raised to game.

PLAY: West led a low heart and declarer quickly wrapped up eleven tricks for +460. Those N/S pairs who bid to a pedestrian 5

, scored only +400. It's true if West had found the ace of clubs lead (or a spade lead with a club shift), the defenders could take the first nine tricks. In a team event where overtricks are less important, it would make sense to reach the minor suit game. But, as you can see, taking chances at matchpoint scoring can pay off.

However, that +460 only earned us ten of twelve matchpoints. One N/S pair was doubled in 5

for +550 and another pair was doubled in 4