IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

 

Although there is no doubt that Lady Luck plays a role in duplicate bridge, the good players will do what they can to make sure she is on their side.

 

 

Scoring: IMPs (Teams)

#10-36

Dlr

S

Vul

E/W

S

A1072

H

AQJ2

D

J7

C

KJ4

S

9865

H

97

D

10652

C

975

  pad  

S

 

H

1086543

D

93

C

AQ1063

 

S

KQJ43

H

K

D

AKQ84

C

82

West

North

East

South

 

    1S

   Pass

   2NT*

   Pass

    4D**

   Pass 

    4NT

   Pass

    5H

    Pass      6S        Pass     Pass

    Pass     

   

    *Jacoby Forcing Raise

   **Good five-card suit

 

 

BIDDING:  After discovering his partner had a second strong five-card suit, North launched the Blackwood convention.  After finding they were missing an ace, North reluctantly stopped in the small slam.

 

PLAY:  West was also listening to the auction and found the killing club lead for down one.  At the other table, the auction was the same except for the last bid.  This North bid 6NT to protect his king of clubs.  East did not lead his ace so North-South scored an overtrick. 

 

Although the first pair was unlucky to find both club honors in the East hand, the second pair took Lady Luck out of play.

 

 

Copyright ©2010 Larry Matheny