IMPROVE YOUR PLAY #38 with Larry Matheny

When declaring the hand, it is important to remember the bidding.  The auction usually holds information that will help place the opponents' high cards.  Here is an example.

Scoring: IMPs

Hand #38
Dlr  E
Vul N-S
S Q8
H K108
D J8643
C K86
S 75
H QJ53
D K752
C 932
    
S AJ10963
H 762
D
C QJ54

S K42
H A94
D AQ109
C A107
West North
 East
 South


2S DBL
 Pass 3D* Pass
 3NT
All Pass



* natural with 7-10 high card points

BIDDING:  Over East's 2S bid, South had the values for 2NT but was concerned about holding only one spade stopper.  A takeout double normally includes four cards in the other major but South finally decided this was his best call.  This partnership uses the Lebensohl convention so North's response of 3D showed values.  With a weaker hand, North would have bid 2NT relaying his partner to 3C and he would then show a weak hand by bidding 3D.  South bid 3NT hoping for help in the spade suit.

PLAY:  West led his partner's suit and declarer saw he needed the diamond suit to come to nine tricks.  Remembering the bidding, South realized the king of diamonds very likely to be in the West hand.  Accordingly, he rose with dummy's queen so that East would not duck the first spade.  East could do no more than continue spades and declarer won the third round.  It was now safe to enter dummy and take the diamond finesse.  Declarer ended with nine tricks (1 spade, 2 hearts, 4 diamonds, and 2 clubs).

Note if declarer played low from dummy on the first trick, East would insert the nine of spades.  It would be essential for South to duck this trick.  By rising with the queen, declarer would win two spade tricks if East failed to play his ace.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.