IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

New bridge players quickly learn the excitement of the finesse.  However, the experienced veterans will always try to avoid them if a better play is available.

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-26

Dlr

E

Vul

N/S

S

AKJ6

H

AK62

D

Q4

C

QJ5

S

82

H

J1054

D

J1093

C

986

  pad  

S

Q54

H

873

D

K852

C

732

 

S

10973

H

Q9

D

A76

C

AK104

West

North

East

South

   

  

   Pass

    1C

  Pass  

   1H

   Pass

  1S

   Pass       6S         Pass     Pass

   Pass              

 

 

 

BIDDING:  North was a new player who wasn’t sure how to continue after uncovering the spade fit.  Finally, he just bid what he hoped they could make. 

 

PLAY:  West led the jack of diamonds and declarer stopped to analyze the hand.  He saw a possible loser in spades and another in  the diamond suit.  The most obvious play was to take the spade finesse but he hoped to find a better solution.  He decided to combine his chances.  Although confident West had not under led the king of diamonds, declarer played the queen and then won the ace after East covered.  Next, he cashed the ace-king of spades.  He was pleased the outstanding spades divided 3-2 but disappointed the queen had not appeared.  Now he had to find the opponent with the queen of spade holding three or more clubs.  He ran the clubs and poor East could not ruff until the fourth round and that is when declarer discarded his diamond loser. 

 

Those declarers who relied on the spade finesse failed.

 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny