Proper Hand Evaluation #08-04

IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

Proper hand evaluation is very important. Some just count their high card points while others realize the importance of fit. Here is an example of a hand that started as a minimum but ended up to be everything his partner needed.

Scoring: Matchpoints (pairs)

Hand #4
Dlr	E
Vul	E/W

	K10765
	KQ1075
	A5
	3

	83
	2
	76432
	KQJ64

	J9
	984
	KQJ8
	10952

	AQ42
	AJ63
	109
	A87

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1NT
Pass	3*	Pass	4
DBL	4	Pass	4
Pass	4NT	Pass	5
Pass	6	All Pass

* Both majors with game forcing values.

BIDDING: This partnership uses a 15-17 point 1NT opener and the South hand qualified. North considered slam a good possibility and was able to describe his hand with one bid. After hearing of the double fit in the majors, South realized his minimum opener was now worth a great deal more. He cooperated by cue bidding his club ace and if North was only interested in game, he could now sign off in hearts or spades. West doubled to show club cards but North continued the cue bidding to find out which suit had excited South. Of course, South had no preference but bid hearts to have the opening lead come into the strong hand. North then used Blackwood to make sure they weren't off two aces and bid the slam.

PLAY: West led the king of clubs but South had no trouble making seven. He drew trumps and discarded his losing diamond on the long spade. From a strictly point count position, you normally need 33 or more points to have a play for twelve tricks. However, this hand shows the importance of fit. Most pairs just counted their points and stopped in game.

Copyright ©2008 Larry Matheny.