IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

One important aspect of playing in a pair event is that each hand is of equal value.  Succeeding at the one-level can reward you with a larger score than making a grand slam.  Of course, you have to succeed. 

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)
 
Hand #24
Dlr  E
Vul E/W
S 1062
H AQ963
D 9
C Q874
S J953
H 1054
D Q1073
C J2
    
S A84
H KJ72
D K62
C K103

S KQ7
H 8
D AJ854
C A965
West North
 East
 South


1C 1D
  Pass     1H    Pass    1NT   
All Pass
        
     

BIDDING:  After South's 1D overcall, North made a constructive (but non-forcing) 1H bid.  South ended the auction with 1NT.

PLAY:   West suspected South was prepared for a club lead so he optimistically led his poor spade suit.  East won the ace and continued the suit.  Declarer won with his king and could count only five tricks: 2 spades, 1 heart, 1 diamond, and 1 club.  He also realized East very likely held the three outstanding kings to justify his opening bid.   Therefore, the most likely source of additional tricks was in the club suit.  His only play for three clubs tricks was the elusive "intra-finesse".  He led a low club and played the eight from dummy.  East won the ten and continued with a third spade.  South won and went to dummy with his only only entry, the ace of hearts.  Next he led the queen of clubs from dummy and won the ace as East covered with the king.  When the club jack fell on his left, he had seven tricks and a good matchpoint score.

Take careful notice of the play in the club suit.  Playing West to hold either JX or 10X was the only way to win three tricks. Also notice that declarer did not err by taking the losing heart finesse.  Using the auction to place the opponents' high cards is very important.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.