IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

We spend approximately half of our time on defense but most players prefer discussing and dealing with bidding and declarer issues.  Here is a defensive problem that was solved by merely counting points.  Take a look.

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)
 
Hand #3
Dlr   E
Vul N/S
S A75
H Q542
D A8
C 10543
S J9642
H KJ8
D K1054
C A
    
S 83
H A10976
D 732
C 982

S KQ10
H 3
D QJ96
C KQJ76
West North
 East
 South


 Pass
 1C
   1S    DBL*
     Pass    1NT   
All Pass


* Negative double

BIDDING:  West had a poor suit to overcall 1S but he held enough values to justify his action.  After North's negative double, South closed the bidding with 1NT showing 12-14 HCP. 

PLAY:  Seeing no future in his spade suit, West led the four of diamonds.  The eight held the trick in dummy and declarer next led a club to his king.  After winning the ace, West started to play another diamond to establish his king but instead stopped to analyze what he had learned.  From the bidding he knew South held one if not both of the spade honors.  It was also clear  declarer held the QJ of diamonds and the top two (or three) club honors.  Any logical combination of those cards placed South with 12-14 high card points so one thing became clear: South did not hold the ace of hearts.  With that card along with the others, he would have too many points for the auction.  So at trick three, West put the heart jack on the table and then continued with the king and another.  These six tricks for the defenses held declarer to his contract and a great result.  In fact, at two tables, N/S bid and made 3NT.

Notice West did nothing more than count the high card points South had shown from the bidding and play of the hand.   Defense can be simple.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.