Defense can be difficult but sometimes it's very simple. Here is
a hand where a defender didn't pay enough attention to his partner's
cards. Take a look.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs Game)
Hand #33
Dlr
E
Vul
E/W
J105
A3
KJ1075
Q107
Q9832
9862
83
32
A64
J10754
9
AJ94
K7
KQ
AQ642
K865
West
North
East
South
Pass
1NT
Pass
3NT
All Pass
BIDDING: South had an
easy 1NT opener and his partner raised to game.
PLAY: West was
practically broke but led the fourth best in her longest and
strongest suit. East won the ace of spades and returned the six
as
West followed with the deuce. Declarer could only count eight
tricks (1 spade, 2 hearts, and 5 diamonds) and since the lead of the
spade three followed by the two promised a five card suit, declarer
knew he was in trouble. His only chance was to catch a defender
napping. At trick three declarer led a low diamond
to dummy's jack followed by a low club. East followed with the
nine and declarer's king was his ninth trick. East was so intent
on not
losing a club trick, he allowed the contract to succeed. He
should have known
to rise with the ace of clubs and lead his last spade to his partner's
established suit.
