IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

Many players don't realize the differences between matchpoint (pairs) games and team games.  In a pairs event, overtricks are very important while in a team game the safety of the contract is paramount.  Take a look at this hand to appreciate how different the two games are.

Scoring:  Matchpoints (pairs)

Hand #46
Dlr   E
Vul E/W
S KQ105
H 9852
D AQJ4
C 7
S 94
H K10764
D 97
C Q542
    
S 62
H 3
D K10832
C AJ1083

S AJ873
H AQJ
D 65
C K96
West North
 East
 South


Pass
 1S
    Pass
    4C*    Pass     4S
All Pass


*Splinter bid

BIDDING:  North jumped to show club shortness, 4+ spades, and around 11-14 support points.  Knowing his club king was of little value, South signed off in game.

PLAY:  West led a low club won by East with the ace.  East shifted to a low heart and declarer stopped to study the hand.  It appeared he had only three possible losers: 1 heart, 1 diamond, and the club.  In a team game or at rubber bridge, the hand would be easy; win the ace of hearts and draw trumps.  But this was matchpoint scoring and if the heart king was in the East hand, declarer would make at least one overtrick by finessing.  Even if the heart lead was a singleton, South might still be able to make the hand if the king of diamonds was in the West hand.  But, as you can see, both red kings were off-side and the heart was a singleton so declarer went down in a contract that could be made.  However, in a pairs event, South played the hand correctly.  The odds were far too good to forego the heart finesse.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.