Improve Your Play #06-52

IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

To be successful you must listen to the bidding. Here is a hand where many failed when the contract was ice-cold.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand #52
Dlr	E
Vul	N/S

	10985
	J6
	532
	J1062

	3
	KQ105
	AQ1074
	AQ7

	2
	987432
	96
	9843

	AKQJ764
	A
	KJ8
	K5

West	North	East	South
		Pass	2
2	Pass	Pass	2
3	Pass	Pass	4
DBL	All Pass

BIDDING: South held a monster hand but apparently West didn't believe him. East had a lot of hearts but no values and poor North was just along for the ride. West was soon going to regret his double.

PLAY: West led the king of hearts to South's ace. From the auction, declarer realized that West probably held every outstanding honor card and this showed him a way to succeed. He led a low spade to dummy and trumped a heart to his hand. Next, he led the king of clubs and West was in trouble. Finally, after winning the ace of clubs, West continued with the queen and another club and declarer had ten tricks. Note it doesn't matter what West does, he is completely end-played. Those declarers who tried finessing East for some of the honors were soon defeated.

Please note that declarer must not lead the jack or ten of clubs from dummy. He needs to establish both of those cards for later diamond discards. Also note that East-West can make 4