IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

It is an over simplification to say that good defense is simply taking your tricks. However, cashing your tricks before they get away is sometimes the solution.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-47
Dlr	N
Vul	N/S

	3
	AJ63
	K2
	AQJ654

	98642
	974
	1054
	109

	AJ107
	102
	A9863
	82

	KQ5
	KQ85
	QJ7
	K73

West	North	East	South
-	1	Pass	1
Pass	3*	Pass	4NT
Pass	5	Pass	Pass
Pass

*splinter

Bidding: North jumped to show heart support, spade shortness, and the values to bid game. Even though South held secondary values opposite spade shortness, he had so much strength he moved toward slam. North’s response to Blackwood showed two aces were missing so South reluctantly stopped at the five-level.

Play: West led a spade and East won the ace. It was immediately clear to East that he must cash the ace of diamonds or risk declarer discarding his losers on dummy’s long club suit.

Although no N/S pair bid the slam, several made 12 tricks. In such a strength showing auction, it is rarely right to make a passive lead. Those who led a heart or a club gave up the overtrick as did those who did not cash their second ace early.

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny