The Unlikely Overtrick #11-37

IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

with Larry Matheny

Matchpoint events are difficult and usually won by players who fight and scratch for every possible trick. Here is a hand where the play for an overtrick was obscure but possible.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-37
Dlr	E
Vul	E-W

	AJ32
	A1075
	83
	976

	98
	J42
	KQJ1075
	K8

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	104
	9863
	A964
	QJ5

	KQ1065
	KQ
	2
	A10432

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1
2	3	Pass	4
Pass	Pass	Pass

BIDDING: North’s 3 bid showed a limit raise of spades and South continued to game.

PLAY: West led the king of diamonds and declarer stopped to analyze the hand. It appeared he had to lose one diamond and two clubs. Since this was a pairs event, he looked for an overtrick. He ruffed the second diamond, played the king of spades followed by the KQ of hearts. He then cashed the ace of clubs (important) and went to the ace of spades drawing trumps. Now he cashed the ace of hearts discarding a club and was delighted to see the jack fall. He discarded another club on the ten of hearts and then led a low club. West won the king but with no more clubs, had to lead a diamond allowing declarer to discard dummy’s last club and ruff in his hand. Making five was a good matchpoint result.

Note the early play of the ace of clubs made it more difficult for West to see the end-play coming and unblock the king.