IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

Bridge players new to the game come in all flavors.  Some are timid while others know no fear.  Here is a hand where the poor defenders were taken on a wild ride.

Scoring:  Team Game (IMPs)

Hand #13
Dlr   W
Vul N/S
S J97
H KQ108
D KQJ854
C
S Q2
H A942
D A3
C 98432
    
S 65
H 65
D 109762
C A1076

S AK10843
H J73
D
C KQJ5
West North
 East
 South
Pass
 1D  Pass
 1S
   Pass     2H    Pass
     3C
   Pass
    3S    Pass
    4NT*
   Pass
    5C    DBL
     6S
All Pass


* Roman Keycard Blackwood

BIDDING:  The novice in the North seat started simply enough but then reversed into hearts.  South knew this was a big bid and continued with 3C to find out more.  When North showed spade support, South tried Keycard Blackwood (4 aces + spade king).  The response showed 0-3 keycards and with such strong bidding, South was convinced it was three.  South did wonder about East's double but felt justified in bidding the slam. 

PLAY:  West led the ace of hearts and then tried to cash the ace of diamonds.  This allowed declarer to pull trumps and discard his four clubs on good diamonds and hearts.   It's not surprising that their teammates defended a more sedate four spade contract.  You have to feel sorry for East-West but it does happen. 

Copyright ©2008 Larry Matheny.     stats