Here is a hand that shows how complex defense can be. Of
course, with those difficult hands, getting it just right is so very
satisfying. Take a look.
Scoring: Pairs (Matchpoints)
Hand #6
Dlr
S
Vul
E/W
J9754
Q10
98
A862
6
K9732
Q2
Q10975
AKQ8
A654
643
J3
1032
J8
AKJ1075
K4
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
Pass
Pass
BIDDING: North-South had
a routine auction to a diamond part score. North's spade bid and
the vulnerability kept East-West from competing.
PLAY: West led his
singleton spade to East's queen. On the second and third high
spades, West discarded the nine and three of hearts. East next
led a low heart to the king and won the return with his ace. It
was now time to play the last spade and West's queen of trump was bound
to win a trick. A score of +50 earned most of the
matchpoints. At many tables, East quickly played four rounds of
spades allowing the declarers to jettison a heart loser. Those
East-West pairs ended with only five tricks and an poor score of
-110. It is usually right to cash your side tricks before
attempting to promote an honor in partner's hand.
Coincidentally, a trump promotion is also available if East-West are in
a heart contract. They have only four minor suit losers but will
have to lose a heart trick if a third diamond is led.
