IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

The auction can still be helpful even after play has begun. This hand makes that point.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-35
Dlr	S
Vul	Both

	Q953
	K63
	QJ96
	K6

	4
	J972
	754
	A9852

	AJ2
	Q1054
	A103
	QJ4

	K10876
	A8
	K82
	1073

West	North	East	South
-	-	-	Pass
Pass	Pass	1	1
3	3	Pass	Pass
Pass

Bidding: West’s 3 bid was a weak raise and North competed to 3 to end the auction.

Play: West led the ace of clubs and was disappointed to find the king in dummy. He shifted to a low heart and declarer stopped to analyze the hand. He saw only three certain losers (1 spade, 1 diamond, and 1 club) so the contract was not in danger. To avoid a second spade loser he needed to find the jack. The auction gave him the answer. West’s preemptive raise promised at least five clubs so that left East with only three. East must hold three spades for with only two he would have eight red cards and would not have opened a 3-card club suit. Armed with this knowledge, at trick two declarer led a low spade to the queen and ace. He won the heart return in dummy followed by a spade to the ten. He drew the last trump and conceded a diamond trick for ten tricks.

Those who played for the spades to break 2-2 were disappointed.

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny