The smart declarer will take advantage of every opportunity to make his
contract. Take a look at this beauty.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)
Hand #44
Dlr
E
Vul
E/W
8732
K3
AQ9
K986
AJ10
10976
864
Q73
65
QJ842
K107
1052
KQ94
A5
J532
AJ4
West
North
East
South
Pass
1NT
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
4
All Pass
BIDDING: This was a
standard Stayman sequence. The hand will usually play better in
the suit contract, particularly if both hands are short in the same
side suit.
PLAY: West led the ten
of hearts and declarer stopped to count his losers. He saw a
diamond loser, a possible club loser, and one or two spade
losers. It seemed right to lead trumps first so the first trick
was won in dummy and a low spade went to the king and ace. West
continued with the spade jack so South knew he was going to lose two
spade tricks. Declarer won the spade queen and led a low diamond
to the queen and king. East got out with a heart to the ace and
declarer stopped to evaluate his position. It looked like he
needed to find the queen of clubs on his right but he had a better
plan. He next led a diamond to the ace and another back to his
jack. He then led the last diamond pitching a club from
dummy. With the red suits eliminated, he played a third spade to
West who now had to lead a club into declarer's hand or provide a
sluff/ruff. Making four was a good result because several
declarers relied on the club finesse and failed.
Note there was nothing particularly difficult about his hand. An
inexperienced player loves to take finesses but the expert will look
for ways to avoid them.
