IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

with Larry Matheny

There are bidding convention and agreements used to get you to the proper contract and there are those that keep you from getting too high. Here is an example.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand #12-41
Dlr	N
Vul	N/S

	K963
	9742
	62
	KQ3

	84
	865
	J107
	AJ1086

	AQ1052
	9854
	9752

	J7
	AKQJ103
	AKQ3
	4

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

Bidding: South’s opening bid showed either 22+ high card points in a balanced hand or 9+ tricks in an unbalanced hand. North’s 2 response was a waiting bid. Next, South jumped to 3 to set the trump suit and ask North to show any ace. Lacking an ace, North bid 3NT which said “I have one or more kings but no aces.” With no ace or king, North would have bid 4. Knowing they were missing two aces, South signed off in game.

Play: West led the ace of clubs and then shifted to the eight of spades. East captured two spade tricks and led a third round. Declarer ruffed high, drew trumps, and claimed ten tricks. Several N/S pairs were defeated when they made it to the five or even six level. It’s nice to have tools that prevent you from getting too high.

Copyright ©2012 Larry Matheny