IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

It's important in a team event to avoid a double game swing.  That's a game making each direction. When in doubt, it's usually right to "bid one more".  Take a look at this exciting hand.

Scoring:  IMPs (Teams)

Hand #39
Dlr   N
Vul N/S
S A103
H 1065
D A84
C Q974
S 6
H 974
D KJ1093
C K852
    
S 54
H AKQJ832
D 6
C J106

S KQJ9872
H
D Q752
C A3
West North
 East
 South

Pass 4H 4S
    5H     5S All Pass     

BIDDING:  East opened an aggressive 4H preempt and South overcalled in spades.  West wasn't sure who could make what but didn't like his hand for defense so he raised his partner.  North had the same problem and closed the auction with 5S.

PLAY:  West led a heart and declarer saw three possible losers: two diamonds and one club.  Although it wasn't certain, South felt his best bet was to find West with both minor suit kings.  He ruffed the opening heart lead, led a spade to dummy, ruffed a second heart, and then repeated this drawing trumps and eliminating hearts from both hands.  He then led ace and another club and West was fixed.  He had to win the club or declarer would only lose two diamond tricks.  But, after winning the club he was end-played.  He had to lead a diamond away from his king or lead another club allowing declarer to discard two diamonds on the good clubs.  South was lucky but took advantage of the situation.

At the other table, North-South were down one in the same contract when declarer played East to hold the king of diamonds.  Note that East-West have four losing tricks in a heart contract.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.