IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

For years players used a strong jumpshift to force to game and suggest slam.  However, since these hands come up so infrequently, the jumpshift is now used by many to show a hand with a long suit but without the strength to respond at the one-level.  Here it is in action.

Scoring:  Pairs Game (Matchpoints)

Hand #14
Dlr   W
Vul E/W
S KQ7
H 7
D AQ64
C AK964
S J65
H A542
D K53
C J32
    
S A842
H K6
D 10982
C Q105

S 1093
H QJ10983
D J7
C 87
West North
 East
 South
Pass
 1C  Pass
 2H
   Pass     3H    Pass
     4H
All Pass
   
  
  
 
BIDDING:  South's hand had one feature: the heart suit.  Since he was too weak to bid 1H, he made a weak jumpshift to 2H.  Ordinarily North would pass but he had such a good hand he invited game with a raise.  This asked South to bid game with a good trump suit. 

PLAY:  West's low spade lead went to the king and ace.  East returned a spade to the ten, jack, and queen.  Now declarer played hearts for only two losers.  West won the ace and played another spade.  East then won the heart king and played a fourth round of spades.  Declarer ruffed and drew the last trumps.  Rather than rely on the diamond finesse,  next cashed the top two clubs followed by a club ruff.  When the suit divided 3-3, declarer was able to discard his losing diamond and had ten tricks.  At many tables the auction ended with North declaring 1C.  The weak jumpshift is a valuable tool.

Even though the diamond king was on-side, it's important to postpone finesses until all other solutions have been exhausted.

Copyright ©2008 Larry Matheny.     stats