IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

 

Hand evaluation usually starts with a count of the high points but you also have to consider the distribution.  Here is an excellent slam with a combined count of only 24 high card points.

 

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand 12-49

Dlr

E

Vul

Both

S

AJ92

H

Q63

D

5

C

A9872

S

 3

H

 1084

D

 AKQ9872

C

 J10

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S

 4

H

 975

D

 J1064

C

 KQ653

 

S

KQ108765

H

AKJ2

D

3

C

4

West

 North

East

South

-   

-

Pass

 1S

 3D

4D

Pass

 4NT

   Pass

    5H

  Pass

    6S

   Pass

   Pass

  Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

    

   

 

 

Bidding:  North cue bid the opponent’s suit to show a strong spade raise.  South became excited and checked for keycards (4 aces + spade king).  North showed two keycards and South bid the small slam.

 

Play:  West led the king of diamonds and declarer soon chalked up +1430.  Those N/S pairs who only counted their high card points stopped in game.

 


Copyright ©2012 Larry Matheny