IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

with Larry Matheny

Many players do not have the tools to invite slam after finding a 4-4 major suit fit. This pair employed an agreement that prevented them from getting too high.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand #12-43
Dlr	E
Vul	E/W

	Q1094
	AQ5
	K82
	AJ3

	K2
	1082
	95
	Q96542

	876
	K974
	J10763
	7

	AJ53
	J63
	AQ4
	K108

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

Bidding: After his partner opened 1NT, North immediately thought about slam. He started by using the Stayman convention and uncovered a spade fit. North was strong enough to invite slam but not insist upon it. He jumped to 4, an agreement showing a balanced hand with spade support and slam invitation strength. South held a minimum and signed off in game.

Play: West led the deuce of hearts and declarer stopped to examine his chances. He saw three possible losers: 1 spade, 1 heart, and 1 club. He saw no way to avoid a heart loser unless the king was in the West hand so he played low from dummy. East won the king and returned his singleton club. Declarer considered two possibilities: 1) East had a singleton club, or 2) East held the spade king and was trying to talk declarer out of taking the spade finesse. This was a matchpoint event so overtricks were important. Declarer finally decided the seven of clubs was a singleton so after winning the club he immediately followed with the ace and another spade. West won the king, noted East had played hi-low in trumps to show an odd number, and gave his partner a club ruff. South had his ten tricks and realized that once he took the heart finesse, he could not have prevented the club ruff.

Those who bid the slam were very disappointed.

Copyright ©2012 Larry Matheny