IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

with Larry Matheny

The human brain is amazing. Not only does it allow us to memorize the correct card to lead from a particular suit combination, our brain is also capable of mathematics. Here is a hand where a defender found the right opening lead after some simple addition.

Scoring:  IMPs (Teams)

#11-51
Dlr	N
Vul	N/S

	AQ6
	J2
	10542
	K872

	K73
	Q63
	AQJ93
	62

	1084
	9874
	87
	QJ93

	J952
	AK105
	K6
	A104

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

BIDDING: N/S had a routine auction to game.

PLAY: As West pondered his opening lead, he reflected on the auction. It appeared N/S had at least the 26 high card points usually needed for game. Adding his points to this, it was clear that East was broke. So while the text book lead from this diamond holding is the queen, West started with the ace. After seeing dummy, West continued with a low diamond and this left declarer with no chance for 9 tricks. Declarer tried the heart finesse but West won and had 3 more diamonds to cash. At the other table, West led the queen of diamonds and this declarer soon had his 9 tricks: 2 spades, 3 hearts, 2 diamonds, and 2 clubs.

This was a loss of 12 IMPs and the match. It pays to stop and think…and perhaps do a little math.

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny