Column Collection 7B65 by Richard Pavlicek
Column Collection 7B65 by Richard Pavlicek
You should find a lot of instructive reading — each article is like a bridge lesson — as well as some occasional bits of bridge history and humor. I hope you enjoy them. But don’t wait for the movie!
Sound Deduction Nets Slam
1. 
6 NT by South
N-S Vul |  3 A 2 K 9 7 5 A J 9 8 7 6 | |
| A 9 8 6 10 Q J 8 4 10 5 4 3 | ![[W - E]](t.gif) | Q J 10 7 4 2 J 9 8 7 5 3 2 |
| Lead: 10 | K 5 K Q 6 4 3 A 10 6 2 K Q |
| West 4 All Pass | North 1 5 | East 2 5 | South Dbl 6 NT |
East’s two-club bid was the popular modern gadget called the “Michaels cue-bid,” showing a weak hand with length in both major suits. St. Jean, South, doubled to show strength and West jumped to four spades as a preemptive measure (despite the lack of high cards this contract might make, although perfect defense can prevail). De Lieto, North, guessed right to push on to five clubs, East competed further, and South took a bold stab at the reasonable slam.
West led the heart 10, taken by dummy’s ace, and declarer immediately unblocked the king-queen of clubs. A diamond was led toward dummy and West played the jack, forcing the king.
Declarer paused to think. Why had West not led a spade? One valid reason was that he held the spade ace and did not want to establish a trick for the king obviously held by South. This was further evidenced by the fact that West split his diamond honors (a more obvious play if West was looking at the spade ace). Declarer backed her judgment and played accordingly.
On the run of the clubs, South discarded one diamond, two hearts, and a spade (baring the king). A heart was led to the king and the queen was cashed, forcing West to come down to three cards. When West kept the spade ace and queen-small in diamonds, declarer exited with a spade to force West to lead a diamond into South’s ace-10.
St. Jean’s fine detective work uncovered the only play to make the slam … and win the event.
Grand Slam ChallengeAsk a friend if he can make seven notrump as South with a heart lead. Chances are he will say it is cold, since declarer can win eight spades, two hearts, and three diamonds (with the finesse). You, of course, contend that he cannot.
2. 7 NT x by South
| Both Vul | — K 2 A Q J 8 K Q J 10 9 8 7 | |
| 2 Q J 9 8 7 6 5 4 K 9 7 6 — | | 10 7 5 4 10 3 2 A 6 5 4 3 2 |
| Lead: Q | A K Q J 9 8 6 3 A 3 10 5 4 — |
| West 4 Pass | North 5 Pass | East Pass Dbl | South 7 NT All Pass |
A closer look reveals that declarer must run the spade suit before taking the diamond finesse, and thus make eight discards from the dummy. The first seven are easy (clubs), but the last is the killer — a small diamond prevents declarer from winning three diamond tricks (he can finesse only once), as does the discard of a diamond honor.
After several failing attempts, your friend will agree that the task is impossible. But now you challenge him that you can make it! (No contract is impossible for a player of your caliber.)
The trick: Win the opening lead twice! That is, play the heart king from dummy and overtake it with your ace. As stupid as this looks, you are now in a position to make your contract on a squeeze.
On the run of the spades, West must discard down to four cards, then: (1) if West lets go a diamond, dummy keeps four diamonds and the lead of the diamond 10 gives declarer the rest of the tricks, or (2) if West keeps four diamonds (throwing all his hearts away), dummy keeps A-Q-J of diamonds and the heart deuce.
In case (2) declarer can finesse diamonds twice because the heart three is not only a winner, but also a reentry to the South hand.
Broward Team Wins AgainThe local team of Jeanni St. Jean, Mat De Lieto, Erwin Cutler, Dave Marshall, and Richard Pavlicek Jr. continued their hot streak by winning the Flight B division. They will compete in the national finals to be held in Las Vegas, August 1-3.
The St. Jean team gained heavily on today’s deal. Cutler, South, opened one heart and West made a weak jump overcall in spades. Pavlicek Jr., North, decided against an immediate heart raise despite the fact that South had promised a five-card suit. Instead he made a “negative double,” suggesting length in both minor suits. This was a flexible move since he could always correct to hearts if his partner bid clubs.
3. 6 by South
| None Vul | K J 2 A J 2 K Q 10 5 4 J 10 | |
| Q 10 9 8 6 3 — 9 7 3 Q 9 7 5 | | A 7 5 4 9 8 7 4 3 — A 8 4 2 |
| Lead: 10 | — K Q 10 6 5 A J 8 6 2 K 6 3 |
| West 2 Pass | North Dbl 6 | East Pass 4 All Pass | South 1 5 |
East jumped to four spades and South naturally introduced his second suit. This was good news to North and he pushed on to slam, preferring to play in diamonds (not hearts) since the trump fit was superior and the heart suit would provide discards in the play.
The play presented no problem when West led a spade: jack, ace, ruff. Trumps were drawn in three rounds and declarer threw dummy’s two clubs on his long hearts — making seven.
Of course, an original club lead followed by a heart switch would defeat the slam; but that would require clairvoyance rather than any particular skill.
The opposing team did not locate their excellent diamond fit and played in five hearts, barely making. Notice that it is impossible to make a slam in hearts against any lead with the nasty trump break.
Trump Coup Nets Crucial OvertrickAnyone could make four spades on this deal; but that is not the test of a duplicate player. The scoring is such that every trick is important — overtricks are worth their weight in gold.
4. 4 by South
| None Vul | J 2 A K J 5 4 A J A K 7 3 | |
| 7 Q 10 8 K 10 9 8 7 5 10 8 5 | | A Q 6 3 9 7 2 6 4 3 Q 9 2 |
| Lead: 10 | K 10 9 8 5 4 6 3 Q 2 J 6 4 |
| West Pass | North 1 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 2 |
For example, if one player makes an overtrick (11 tricks) and all the other South players make their contract exactly (10 tricks), the player with the overtrick gets a “top” score. Rovner all but insured himself a top by scoring two overtricks, a feat which required very skillful play.
The diamond finesse was taken at trick one, North’s jack winning, and the spade jack was led and passed around. Another spade lead was won by the eight, as West shed a diamond. It now appeared that East was destined to win two trump tricks (since dummy lacked another spade to lead), but a trump coup was still possible.
Declarer cashed the ace-king of hearts and ruffed a heart, then crossed to dummy with a club. A good heart was led, East shedding a diamond (he cannot gain by ruffing) and South a club. On the next heart lead, East threw his last diamond, as did South.
The diamond ace was led and East threw a club (ruffing would make it easy), and South made the key play — ruffing this good trick to shorten his trumps. Finally, dummy was reentered with a club and East could win only his trump ace.
Holdup Play Backfires
5. 3 NT by South
| Both Vul | 10 4 A 7 6 2 A 9 4 K J 6 3 | |
| K J 9 2 K 9 3 6 5 3 10 9 4 | | Q 7 6 3 Q J 10 8 K 8 2 7 5 |
| Lead: 2 | A 8 5 5 4 Q J 10 7 A Q 8 2 |
| West Pass Pass | North 1 3 NT | East Pass All Pass | South 1 1 NT |
Both West players led a spade, but the play followed different paths.
At table one declarer allowed East to win the opening lead with the spade queen. This tactic, known as the “holdup play,” is usually sound technique. Its purpose is to break up the enemy communication so, if a trick is lost, the opponent to gain the lead may be exhausted of the dangerous suit. Unfortunately, it backfired miserably on this deal.
East was abreast of the situation and did not routinely return a spade; instead he shifted to the heart queen, attacking on another front. This left declarer without recourse, as East was bound to win three heart tricks in addition to his diamond king and spade queen — down one.
At table two declarer was wiser. He recognized that West’s lead of the spade two was probably from a four-card suit because the standard practice is to lead one’s fourth best card (hence, the two would not be led from a five-card suit).
In that event the contract was safe by winning the first spade lead. Even if the diamond finesse lost, the enemy could win only one diamond and three spade tricks. And so the play went.
Before losing one’s faith in the holdup play, let’s look for a principle here. The crux of this deal is that declarer is weak in two suits (spades and hearts), in which case it is usually correct to win the first suit led. This eliminates any chance of a whipsaw attack.
Think Before Playing to the First TrickThe bidding was the same at both tables: North overcalled West’s one-heart opening with two diamonds and then raised to game when South bid his spade suit. After a heart lead, both declarers failed in their attempt to make four spades.
6. 4 by South
| None Vul | J 10 2 3 A K Q J 8 Q 9 6 4 | |
| A 8 3 K Q J 9 7 4 3 A 10 7 | | 9 4 10 6 2 10 9 5 K J 8 3 2 |
| Lead: K | K Q 7 6 5 A 8 5 4 7 6 2 5 |
| West 1 Pass | North 2 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 2 |
At one table declarer won the heart ace and immediately led a trump to dummy’s jack. The spade 10 was returned to West’s ace and West made the fine play of another heart, ruffed in dummy. It was now impossible for South to reach his hand to draw the outstanding trump, and the opponents were able to cash the setting trick before dummy’s long diamond suit could be used for discards. Down one.
At the other table declarer played differently, winning the heart ace and ruffing a heart in dummy. A low club was led to West’s ten, and West returned a low trump, won by dummy’s 10. Declarer came to his hand with a club ruff to ruff another heart, but the situation was hopeless.
Being stranded in dummy, he still had to lose a heart and two trump tricks (West was bound to win the spade eight, either by ruffing or by forcing South to lose trump control). Also down one.
This deal emphasizes the importance of planning the play before playing to the first trick. Both declarers should have foreseen the dead ends they reached.
The correct play, although uncommon with a singleton in the dummy, is to duck the first heart lead. If West continues hearts, dummy ruffs (South saving his ace for later) and trumps are led to force out the ace. The rest is easy, although declarer must be careful to win the second round of trumps in his hand.
“Second Hand Low” Is Sound AdviceAlthough this strategy is intended primarily for the defensive side, it also holds for declarer’s play from his own hand and dummy. Today’s deal, from a local duplicate game, is a good case in point.
7. 4 by South
| Both Vul | K 3 Q 8 6 3 A K 6 J 10 9 2 | |
| 10 4 2 K 10 4 Q 10 8 K 8 4 3 | | 5 A J 5 J 9 5 2 A Q 7 6 5 |
| Lead: 3 | A Q J 9 8 7 6 9 7 2 7 4 3 — |
| West Pass | North 4 | East All Pass | South 3 |
After South’s preemptive opening, North raised to game in the hopes that his smattering of strength would be adequate. West led the club three and declarer cleverly called for the two from dummy.
East, of course, could have forced South to ruff by inserting the five; but how was he to know? West’s lead could have been a singleton; or from a three-card suit. Not being clairvoyant, East played the ace. The rest was history.
Declarer promptly ruffed and drew two rounds of trumps ending in dummy. The club jack was led and South threw a heart (a loser on a loser) as West won the king.
The defense was now helpless. Declarer had a ruffing finesse available in clubs (dummy still had the 10-9 and East the queen), and dummy had the required entries (diamond ace and king) to develop and cash this 10th trick. All the defenders could win were one club and two heart tricks, so the contract was made.
Let’s go back to that first trick. Would you have found the play of dummy’s two? Or would you have instinctively called for the jack? Observe that declarer’s entire plan fizzles if a club honor is wasted at trick one.
Remember this play the next time you play from dummy on the opening lead.
Improve Your Game “The Fun Way”Advanced Bridge is a potpourri of useful bridge advice — defense, declarer play, bidding, conventions — that is sure to improve anyone’s game. The novelty of the book is the inclusion of many captioned cartoons which humorously illustrate the material. I must admit that I couldn’t put the book down until I read each and every one.
Today’s deal is from the section on declarer play, and illustrates the throw-in play at a notrump contract. South is declarer in three notrump after a routine auction. Lampert writes:
8. 3 NT by South
| Both Vul | 7 4 3 8 7 6 A J 6 K Q J 4 | |
| K Q J 9 K 9 4 9 7 5 3 9 3 | | 10 8 J 10 5 3 2 Q 8 4 10 8 2 |
| Lead: K | A 6 5 2 A Q K 10 2 A 7 6 5 |
| West Pass | North 3 NT | East All Pass | South 1 NT |
“As West leads the spade king, you count that you have eight winners off the top. You hold up, winning the third spade round as East shows out. Cash your four club tricks making sure to wind up in your hand. This strips West of the club suit.
“Play the spade eight from your hand, discarding a small heart from dummy, which puts West into the lead. He now must play a diamond or a heart (that’s all he’s got) and your contract is assured. As a matter of fact, you also have a safe chance for an overtrick by taking a finesse in the suit that was not led.”
The deal is preceded by a cartoon depicting a lady in a polka-dot dress taunting her mustached male opponent, “No ruff ‘n’ sluff…but I gotcha in the end, anyway!”
Of course, you really must see the book to enjoy it.
Picture the Full Deal To Improve Your PlayThis is not to say that peripheral vision is the key to becoming an expert. Picturing the entire deal is simply a thought process, developed over years of practice, that enables a player to make the proper percentage plays (good guesses if you prefer) when faced with a decision.
Today’s deal illustrates this principle. Erwin Cutler of Margate was South, and a routine auction led to the sound game contract in spades. West led a trump and declarer quickly cashed three rounds of the suit, East discarding two diamonds and a heart.
9. 4 by South
| Both Vul | 8 7 5 3 A 9 4 K 10 5 J 7 4 | |
| J 10 9 K 10 5 2 9 4 A Q 9 6 | | — Q J 8 7 6 A J 7 6 3 8 5 2 |
| Lead: J | A K Q 6 4 2 3 Q 8 2 K 10 3 |
| West Pass All Pass | North 2 | East Pass | South 1 4 |
A heart was led to the ace and a low club went to the 10 and queen. West tried to cash the heart king, ruffed, and the club king was led to West’s ace. West exited with a club to dummy’s jack, and declarer was faced with the problem of playing the diamond suit.
The normal percentage play in diamonds is to lead up to the queen and then finesse the 10 on the second round; but that is based on the suit in isolation. When the entire deal is considered, this would be a poor play. East’s spade void and his two diamond discards make him a strong favorite to hold at least five diamonds, and declarer used this information to his advantage.
Dummy’s last heart was ruffed and declarer led a diamond to the king, forcing East to win the trick. East was endplayed! He was obliged to lead away from his diamond jack or yield a ruff and discard; either way, declarer wins the rest.
Careful Play Rewards Bold Bidding
10. 4 by South
| E-W Vul | 10 6 4 3 J 5 K 10 6 4 Q 10 5 | |
| Q 7 10 8 3 2 A K 8 7 4 3 2 | | K J 9 8 5 2 Q 7 4 3 Q 8 5 — |
| Lead: Q | A A K 9 6 2 A J 9 7 J 9 6 |
| West 3 Pass | North Pass Pass 4 | East Pass 3 All Pass | South 1 4 |
The bidding was anything but timid. After South’s routine opening, West made a weak jump overcall in clubs and East put his fate to the wind with three spades. Perhaps South should have doubled (routine defense scores +500), but he daringly bid his second suit. North’s false preference bid of four hearts was an attempt to play in the higher scoring denomination — a characteristic (if not an aberration) of matchpoint scoring.
Raymond Stultz, Jr., of Boynton Beach was South and he faced the treacherous task of making four hearts. West led the spade queen for reasons best known to himself (three rounds of clubs would scuttle the contract outright) and South won the ace.
Declarer began by leading a low heart to the jack and queen, noting with interest the appearance of West’s eight. East continued with a top spade, ruffed, and declarer cashed the heart ace. As hoped, West’s 10 came tumbling down, and declarer continued to draw all of East’s trumps.
So far, so good; but declarer still had problems. He had to establish a club trick and guess who held the diamond queen (he could finesse either way). Moreover, being out of trumps, he had to hope that West held both top clubs and no more spades to lead (suggested by the bidding).
Since West was marked for seven clubs, two spades, two hearts and, hence, only two diamonds, declarer went with the odds and finessed East for the queen — making four hearts.
Trump Sacrifice Keeps Declarer in ControlAfter South’s one-diamond opening, North responded “up the line” with one heart. This procedure makes it easy for partner to show the other major, and thus ensures that a major-suit fit will not be lost. And so it went: South showed his spades; North raised; and South jumped to game with his exciting distribution.
11. 4 by South
| E-W Vul | Q J 10 4 K J 8 6 7 6 5 4 2 | |
| 9 7 5 A 10 7 4 A 10 3 J 10 8 | | 8 6 Q 9 5 3 2 K J K Q 9 7 |
| Lead: J | A K 3 2 — Q 9 8 6 5 4 2 A 3 |
| West Pass Pass All Pass | North 1 2 | East Pass Pass | South 1 1 4 |
Declarer won the opening club lead with the ace and considered his line of play. The singleton in dummy and the void in his hand suggested a crossruff; but a count of winners quickly revealed a shortcoming. Even if declarer could score all eight of his trumps separately, that would yield only nine tricks.
The only chance was to establish the long diamond suit, so declarer began by conceding a diamond to East’s jack. Clubs were continued, South ruffing the third round, and a low diamond was ruffed with the spade 10. Declarer returned to his hand with the spade king (it was imperative not to ruff again in the South hand) and ruffed another diamond with the spade jack.
At this juncture the diamond suit was established. Declarer could win the rest of the tricks if trumps could be drawn; but alas, the suit was blocked (South held ace-small and North the blank queen). If the queen were cashed, declarer could not reach his hand to draw the outstanding trump; and declarer would lose control if he ruffed in hand — a frustrating predicament.
After a little thought, the solution became clear. Declarer must overtake the spade queen with his ace to gain entry to his hand. While this establishes a trump trick for West, declarer remains in control by leading good diamonds until West ruffs.
The contract is made, losing only a club, a diamond and a spade.
Keep a String Attached When Conceding TrickAfter East’s one-club opening, South was too strong for a one-notrump overcall and so began with a takeout double. This elicited a one-spade response from North, and South jumped to two notrump to invite game. North, who had promised nothing with his first bid, carried on to game.
12. 3 NT by South
| Both Vul | Q J 8 2 4 3 6 5 4 3 Q 4 2 | |
| 6 4 J 9 7 6 5 2 J 8 7 5 3 | | K 7 5 3 K 10 8 10 2 A K 8 7 |
| Lead: 6 | A 10 9 A Q A K Q 9 J 10 9 6 |
| West Pass Pass | North 1 3 NT | East 1 Pass All Pass | South Dbl 2 NT |
All would have been fine if West had led his partner’s suit; but club suits are always suspect, and West chose to lead a heart to the king and ace. This did not allow declarer time to set up any club tricks, so he had to concentrate on spades and diamonds.
He first cashed four rounds of diamonds (West discarding a club, East a club and a spade), and then led ace and another spade to dummy’s queen. If East had taken this trick, the contract would have succeeded; but East was on the ball. West had played high-low in spades to indicate an even number (obviously a doubleton), so East withheld his king.
This defense prevented declarer from reaching dummy’s fourth spade and the contract was doomed. Declarer could win only four diamonds, two spades and two hearts before West’s long heart suit became established.
Declarer went wrong when he offered East his spade king with “no strings attached.” Instead he should have led the spade nine to dummy’s queen without cashing the ace.
This would place East in an untenable position. If he won the king, declarer would have an entry to score dummy’s long spade; if he ducked, declarer could continue spades and finesse East out of his king. Either way, declarer would win three spade tricks — exactly what he needs for his contract.
Expert Technique Brings Home Delicate SlamThousands of players will gather at the Las Vegas Hilton (the world’s largest hotel) to compete in many separate events over a 10-day span. Some events are intended for the experts, such as the Spingold Knockout Teams to decide the national championship; other events are geared toward the average player. There is something to please everybody.
Today’s deal occurred in last summer’s N.A.C. in Washington, D.C. and features expert bidding and play.
13. 6 by South
| Both Vul | K Q J 9 A K 7 5 4 A J 9 5 | |
| 6 5 4 10 9 3 Q J 10 7 K 8 6 | | 10 7 2 J 4 K 8 6 3 Q 10 7 2 |
| Lead: Q | A 8 3 Q 8 6 2 A 9 5 2 4 3 |
| West Pass Pass All Pass | North 1 4 5 | East Pass Pass Pass | South 1 4 6 |
After two routine bids, North’s jump to four diamonds was a splinter bid. This showed a hand worth a raise to four hearts that contained a singleton or void (a “splinter”) in diamonds. This enabled South to diagnose the excellent fit (A-x-x-x opposite a singleton is an ideal holding) and his four-spade bid showed the ace of that suit. North showed the club ace, and that was all the encouragement South needed to bid the slam.
West led the diamond queen and declarer formulated his plan. (Decide how you would play before reading on.) There were 10 sure tricks (assuming a normal three-two trump break), so two ruffs were required to bring this total to 12. The diamond ace was won, followed by a diamond ruff in dummy.
Then came the key play: a small club off dummy. This was necessary to build up communication so declarer could reach his hand later to draw the outstanding trump. West won with the eight-spot and returned a club (nothing matters) to dummy’s ace.
Dummy’s ace and king of hearts were cashed, followed by a spade to the ace and another diamond ruff. Finally, a club ruff allowed declarer to draw the last trump and claim the rest.
Proper Play Caters To Bad Trump BreakFor example, it would be foolish to underbid because of the possibility of a trump loser in a suit of A-K-Q-J-3-2. If you waited for A-K-Q-J-10-9, you would be missing a lot of good contracts (not to mention waiting a long time). Certain chances have to be taken.
Nevertheless, sometimes a contract is so sound that it can survive a bad break; and on those occasions declarer may have to risk a possible overtrick to safeguard his venture. Today’s deal occurred during an evening of rubber bridge, and is a good case in point.
14. 4 by South
| N-S Vul | A 3 9 6 5 2 A J 3 9 6 5 4 | |
| 10 6 2 7 9 7 5 K Q J 10 8 3 | | 9 8 Q J 10 8 K 10 6 4 A 7 2 |
| Lead: K | K Q J 7 5 4 A K 4 3 Q 8 2 — |
| West 3 All Pass | North Dbl | East Pass Pass | South 1 4 |
After South’s routine opening, West livened things up with a weak jump overcall in clubs. North’s hand was well-suited for the negative double — a popular treatment which indicates a holding of four cards in the unbid major (in this case, hearts). South was delighted with his new-found fit and jumped directly to game.
West led the club king, ruffed, and everything looked cozy. If hearts broke normally (three-two), 12 tricks were there for the taking — cash both top trumps and run the spades (only one trump trick would be lost). Indeed, declarer tried this — down one! East ruffed the third spade, drew South’s last trump, led a club to West, and eventually scored his diamond king.
Declarer could have insured his contract against a bad trump break. Only one top heart should be cashed, followed by three rounds of spades (discarding a club from dummy). When East ruffs, he does best to return a club which South ruffs. Another good spade is led to discard dummy’s last club and East can win only two trump tricks.
Anemic Trump Suit Is Not Cause For BlameWhen today’s deal was over, South received quite a berating for jumping to three spades on 9-8-x-x after his partner’s takeout double of West’s weak two-bid. Surely, this was the cause of the poor result of down two.
15. 4 by South
| None Vul | A 7 6 2 — A 8 5 4 K 10 8 7 5 | |
| K 3 K Q J 9 8 6 10 7 3 6 2 | | Q J 10 10 7 3 K J 9 6 Q J 9 |
| Lead: K | 9 8 5 4 A 5 4 2 Q 2 A 4 3 |
| West 2 Pass | North Dbl 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 3 |
Not really. South’s bidding, while aggressive, cannot be criticized and in fact would meet with expert approval. His play (which will go unmentioned) was the sole cause of the disaster. Four spades is a tricky contract, but should be made with proper technique and careful timing.
West’s opening lead is ruffed in dummy and declarer should immediately lead a low spade. Note that both major-suit aces are retained for controlling purposes later on.
The best defense is for West to win the king and shift to a diamond (else declarer can establish the club suit and avoid a diamond loser), which is ducked around to East’s king. East can do no better than return a trump to dummy’s ace.
Declarer then crosses to the diamond queen, cashes the club ace, and crosses to the club king. The diamond ace provides a parking place for South’s remaining club, and a club is ruffed in hand to establish the suit.
A heart is then ruffed with dummy’s last trump and a good club is led. As East ruffs with his master trump, South discards his last heart loser and claims the rest — making four spades.
Overcall Tips Off Winning Play
16. 4 by South
| E-W Vul | Q 3 Q 9 2 K 6 5 4 K 10 4 3 | |
| K J 10 8 7 A 10 3 Q J 9 6 5 | | 9 6 5 4 J 5 10 8 7 2 Q J 9 |
| Lead: Q | A 2 K 8 7 6 4 A 3 A 8 7 2 |
| West 1 Pass | North 2 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 1 3 |
After South’s “five-card major” opening bid, West overcalled in spades and North offered a single raise. South tried for game by bidding a different suit (most good players have abandoned the old-fashioned one-two-three game try) and North accepted with his maximum raise.
After West’s diamond lead, declarer’s prospects were not good; it seemed likely that two hearts, a club and a spade would be lost. But there were chances. Declarer placed West with the spade king and (almost surely) the heart ace for his vulnerable overcall. Perhaps he could force West to lead away from his spade king if he timed the play correctly.
The diamond ace was taken and a low heart was led toward the queen, forcing West to play low (he would lose a trick outright if he hopped with the ace). Trumps were now abandoned. The diamond king was cashed, followed by a diamond ruff. Then came the ace and king of clubs and another diamond ruff as West cleverly refused to overruff.
Declarer exited with the heart king (not a small heart!), and West was a goner. After cashing his third trump, the forced spade return gave declarer an extra trick and the time to establish his long club.
Declarer’s Fate Proves To Be Self-SealedAt one table the bidding proceeded as shown. East opened one diamond, the recommended bid with four-four in the minors (if partner responds one spade, it allows a convenient rebid of two clubs). South jumped to three spades to show a long suit in a weak hand, and North carried on to game — he correctly reasoned that South, being vulnerable, would have more than just king-queen seventh in spades.
17. 4 by South
| N-S Vul | A J 7 5 4 A 9 8 6 4 K 10 6 | |
| 6 3 2 A J 9 6 3 2 9 7 5 2 | | 5 K 10 8 2 Q J 7 5 A Q J 8 |
| Lead: 2 | K Q 10 9 8 7 4 Q K 10 3 4 3 |
| West Pass | North 4 | East 1 All Pass | South 3 |
West led his singleton diamond and declarer captured East’s jack with the king. Trumps were drawn in three rounds, throwing a heart from dummy (East discarding a club and a heart); and the diamond 10 was ducked around to East’s queen.
The defenders now played perfectly — a heart to West and a club through dummy — to defeat the contract before relinquishing the lead. Declarer’s fate was sealed by this fine defense… or was it?
At the other table the play was identical through the first four tricks, but declarer gave more thought to his next play. Instead of leading the diamond 10, declarer led the heart queen in an attempt to break up the opponents’ communication.
West did the best he could by winning the ace and shifting to a club, ducked to East’s jack. But now East was unable to cash the setting trick (dummy still had the diamond ace) so he exited safely with a heart, ruffed by South.
On the surface it still seemed that declarer would fail, but the position was almost an open book. All of the trumps were led, reducing dummy to ace-nine of diamonds and the club king. East had to keep two diamonds (else his queen would drop) and, hence, only one club.
Finally, declarer exited with a club to force East to lead diamonds — making four spades.
Broward Expert Wins North American TitleThis seven-day marathon began with 146 teams from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, most of which were composed of expert players. The other members of the Passell team were Russ Arnold, Miami; Tom Mahaffey, St. Petersburg; Jack Denny, Bradenton; Ira Rubin, Paramus NJ; and Charles Burger, Detroit.
Passell, a very popular bridge teacher and lecturer, needs no introduction to Florida bridge players. He has been a successful tournament player for many years. Witness today’s deal, which illustrates his keen knack for card reading.
18. 4 by South
| None Vul | A J 4 A K 7 6 K 8 4 J 7 6 | |
| K 9 3 2 J 10 8 5 4 9 2 Q 2 | | 10 9 2 J 10 7 6 A K 9 8 5 3 |
| Lead: Q | Q 8 7 6 5 Q 3 A Q 5 3 10 4 |
| West Pass All Pass | North Dbl | East 3 Pass | South Pass 4 |
Passell, South, could only pass over East’s preemptive opening; but, when North reopened with a takeout double, he took a chance and jumped to game in his five-card suit.
West began with the club queen, then another club to East’s king. East led the club ace and South, knowing he was in danger of an overruff, trumped with the queen. West cleverly discarded a heart, hoping to persuade declarer that East held the king and eventually score two trump tricks.
This might have succeeded against a lesser declarer; but South was well versed in these tactics and he concluded that East was very unlikely to hold the spade king because of his preempt.
Backing his judgment, South led a spade to the jack and was relieved when East followed with the 10. The rest was easy.
He crossed to the heart queen to lead the spade eight: nine, ace; and then another spade forced out the king. Eventually he was able to draw West’s last trump and claim the rest — making four spades.
Scientific Bidding Avoids GuessworkAlthough many old-fashioned players might bid a grand slam, it is doubtful they would have a high degree of confidence until they saw both hands. Not so with Roy Herigodt of Ft. Lauderdale and Herb Rovner of Oakland Park, who bid the North-South hands with pinpoint accuracy.
19. 7 by South
| Both Vul | A K Q J 2 A K J 10 9 3 A 6 | |
| 7 3 Q 10 9 5 4 2 8 7 5 Q 4 | | 10 9 8 6 J 8 6 2 K J 10 7 5 |
| Lead: 10 | 5 4 K 7 3 A Q 6 4 9 8 3 2 |
| West Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass | North 2 2 3 4 NT 5 7 | East Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass All Pass | South 2 2 NT 4 5 6 |
North’s two-club opening was strong and artificial, the popular adjunct to “weak two-bids;” and South’s two-diamond response was an artificial waiting bid. North then showed his spade suit; South denied support and showed constructive values with two notrump (a three-club rebid instead would be artificial to indicate a “bust” hand); North showed his second suit; and South raised to four diamonds.
North then took charge with Blackwood — not the regular kind, but a modern improvement called “Roman key-card Blackwood.” In this variation there are five key cards (the four aces plus the king of the agreed trump suit) and the step responses are: 0 or 3; 1 or 4; 2 or 5 (without the trump queen); and 2 or 5 (with the trump queen). South’s five-diamond response showed one or four key cards (obviously one).
North still was unsure whether to bid six or seven, so he continued with the cheapest unplayable suit — five hearts. This was another asking bid with the step responses: no trump queen; trump queen; trump queen + 1 king; trump queen + 2 kings; etc.
When South showed the diamond queen and one king, North could bid seven diamonds with almost 100-percent certainty.
Trump Coup Lands SlamOne of the top winners was Betty McCoy of Ft. Lauderdale, who won the two-session Open Pairs. As South on today’s deal, she opened one heart, then routinely rebid two hearts on the next round. After that she listened as West and North played cat-and-mouse up to the six level. West ended the auction with a double for no obvious reason other than “general principles.”
20. 6 x by South
| N-S Vul | 3 J 9 6 A K J 6 5 K 10 6 5 | |
| A Q J 9 8 7 5 — Q 8 3 J 9 7 | | K 6 10 7 5 2 9 7 4 Q 8 4 2 |
| Lead: A | 10 4 2 A K Q 8 4 3 10 2 A 3 |
| West 1 3 4 5 Dbl | North 2 4 5 6 All Pass | East Pass Pass Pass Pass | South 1 2 Pass Pass Pass |
West began with the spade ace and then shifted to a low club, which was ducked around to the ace. A spade ruff was followed by a heart to the ace, revealing the bad trump break. It was now apparent that declarer could not draw East’s trumps if she ruffed her last spade in dummy. As the cards lie, declarer could get home by establishing the diamond suit (either by ruffing or taking the finesse), but this was problematic (not to mention mundane). Instead, she made her contract on a trump coup.
The top diamonds were cashed, followed by a diamond ruff, a spade ruff with the heart jack (East discarding a club), and another diamond ruff (East shedding another club as it would be suicide to ruff).
Finally, a club was led to dummy’s king as East helplessly followed suit. At this point East held 10-7-5 in trumps and South held K-Q-8. With dummy on lead, it was a simple matter to win the remaining tricks by overruffing East as cheaply as possible.
And that’s how tournaments are won!
Calculated Overbid Pays DividendsHelen Shanbrom of Tamarac made the most of the South hand on today’s deal. After passing originally, she reopened with one notrump when West’s one-club opening was passed around. When North raised to two notrump, most players would have thrown in the towel; but South reasoned that her play would be aided by the fact that West held most of the outstanding points (and she liked the texture of her heart suit). Hence, she pushed on to game knowing very well that the point count would be substandard.
21. 3 NT by South
| Both Vul | Q J 10 7 K J A 3 2 Q 10 6 5 | |
| A 8 6 3 Q 6 5 3 K A J 9 2 | | 5 4 2 7 4 2 Q J 9 8 7 8 4 |
| Lead: 3 | K 9 A 10 9 8 10 6 5 4 K 7 3 |
| West 1 Pass All Pass | North Pass 2 NT | East Pass Pass Pass | South Pass 1 NT 3 NT |
West chose to lead a spade, won by South’s king, and another spade was returned to the ace. West exited with a third spade to dummy as South discarded a diamond. On the last spade East and South threw diamonds, then a club was led to the king and ace. West returned the heart three to dummy’s jack.
It was becoming obvious that West was short in diamonds (he bid clubs, showed up with four spades and led a small heart from the queen), so declarer cashed the diamond ace. The fall of the king gave convincing evidence that West began with 4-4-1-4 distribution, and declarer found the winning play:
She overtook the heart king with the ace, finessed the club ten, cashed the club queen and exited with a club to West. After cashing the heart queen, West was obliged to concede the last trick to South’s ten — and that was her ninth trick.
Void Suit Is Key To Grand SlamToday’s deal was reported by Raymond Stultz, Jr. of Boynton Beach and occurred in a local club game. After North’s jump raise to four diamonds, South felt justified in using Blackwood and North faced the task of showing his void.
22. 7 by South
| None Vul | K Q 3 J 10 9 7 4 A K 9 8 7 — | |
| 10 8 5 Q 6 2 6 5 K 10 7 5 2 | | J 9 7 6 4 8 3 10 A 9 8 4 3 |
| Lead: 5 | A 2 A K 5 Q J 4 3 2 Q J 6 |
| West Pass Pass All Pass | North 1 4 6 | East Pass Pass Pass | South 2 4 NT 7 |
This partnership used the popular method of jumping one level to show the number of aces held plus a void (i.e., six clubs shows no ace and void; six diamonds shows one ace and a void; etc.). Unfortunately, this method did not pinpoint the suit (spades or clubs) in which North was void.
South correctly reasoned that a club void was more likely and bid the ice-cold grand slam; but North might instead have held: — Q-J-10-x-x A-K-9-8-7 K-x-x, in which case the result would have been less gratifying.
A superior method of indicating a void suit, preferred by many experts, is the following: In response to Blackwood (1) with one ace and a void, bid six of the void suit or six of the trump suit if the void suit is higher ranking than the trump suit, or (2) with two aces and a void, always bid 5 NT. In this method a void is not shown with an aceless hand (slam is too doubtful) or with three aces (partner rates to hold the missing ace opposite your void). And with four aces and a void…
On the diagrammed deal North would bid six clubs to indicate one ace and a void in clubs. (With a void in spades, North would bid six diamonds because his void is higher ranking than the trump suit.) This way the void is pinpointed and the grand slam can be bid with confidence.
Sophisticated Play Fails
23. 4 by South
| Both Vul | J 10 7 6 A Q 7 3 3 K 6 5 2 | |
| K Q 9 8 4 2 Q 9 6 5 10 9 4 | | A 5 2 K 5 J 10 8 7 4 Q 8 7 |
| Lead: K | 4 3 J 10 9 8 6 A K 2 A J 3 |
| West Pass All Pass | North 3 | East Pass | South 1 4 |
With two obvious spade losers and the heart king offside, the contract depends on avoiding a club loser; and this is easily done with the normal play of leading a club to the king and finessing the jack on the way back. Lacking the club 10, there is only one way to finesse and the finesse works.
On this basis it would appear that the declarer who failed must have been a rank beginner. To the contrary! He was a fine player and the line of play he chose was just as valid as the club finesse, although probably unnoticed at most other tables. He elected to play for a squeeze.
The defense began with the spade king, then a spade to the ace and another spade which South ruffed. The heart jack lost to the king and East returned a diamond to South’s ace.
Needing the rest of the tricks, declarer considered the play of the club suit. If East held the queen, a simple finesse would succeed; if West held the queen, he could be forced to unguard that card in order to protect spades (West was marked for the spade queen from the earlier play). In short, declarer could always succeed if he guessed which opponent held the club queen.
Unluckily, declarer chose to play West for the queen. He trumped his small diamond with the heart ace (to keep communication) and then led all of his trumps and the diamond king to reach a three-card ending. West perforce discarded a club so declarer cashed the top clubs hoping to drop the queen.
But it was all in vain — down one.
Defensive Holdup Play Tests Declarer
24. 6 by South
| None Vul | — A K J 10 5 Q 10 6 A Q 8 4 3 | |
| J 10 6 8 7 6 2 A 2 J 9 5 2 | | A K 9 8 5 9 3 7 4 K 10 7 6 |
| Lead: J | Q 7 4 3 2 Q 4 K J 9 8 5 3 — |
| West 2 Pass | North 1 3 6 | East 1 Dbl All Pass | South 2 5 |
The bidding was aggressive, but sound. After North’s routine opening and East’s overcall, South entered the fray with his freakish distribution. West raised to two spades and North cue-bid three spades to show a good hand and, by inference, support for diamonds. This prompted South to take a stab at game, and North could not resist the temptation to bid slam. Both of these last two bids were well judged, despite the random appearance.
West led the spade jack and Chazen, South, trumped in dummy. The diamond queen was led and West made a fine play of withholding his ace. (Winning the ace would allow declarer to draw trumps and run the heart suit for an easy 12 tricks.)
Declarer now was in a predicament. He could not play another diamond because that would leave dummy without a trump and the opponents could cash their spade tricks.
The only chance was to run the heart suit and hope for the best, so the play went: heart to the queen; heart to the ace; heart king. East ruffed this trick and South overruffed. A spade was ruffed with dummy’s last trump and the club ace was cashed for a spade discard. Fortunately for declarer, West had to follow suit as another spade was discarded on the heart jack.
Finally, the heart 10 provided a parking place for South’s last spade — just in time — as West ruffed with the diamond ace.
Making six diamonds… the hard way!
Fateful Deal Decides MatchOur teammates held the East-West cards on the bidding shown. After South’s takeout double, West jumped to three diamonds as a preemptive raise and North entered the auction with a responsive double — a modern gadget which shows equal support for the unbid suits (especially the majors). East jumped to five diamonds to continue the defensive barrage, and South took a stab at six hearts. West doubled, not just because he held five trumps, but his partner had opened the bidding and usually would provide a trick or two.
25. 6 x by South
| None Vul | 9 6 5 4 Q J 7 3 A J 9 6 4 | |
| 10 10 8 6 5 4 10 8 6 3 2 J 5 | | Q J 8 3 2 — K Q 9 7 5 4 K 3 |
| Lead: 3 | A K 7 A K 9 2 — A Q 10 8 7 2 |
| West Pass 3 Dbl | North Pass Dbl All Pass | East 1 5 | South Dbl 6 |
Despite the five-zero trump break, the contract could not be defeated. West led a diamond and South chose to ruff in hand (retaining dummy’s ace). Four rounds of trumps were led (South discarding a spade) to exhaust the suit except for West’s long trump, then the club queen was finessed. When this held and the clubs divided two-two, declarer continued to lead good clubs until West chose to ruff with his only trick. Making six hearts doubled gave the opposing team a fantastic score of +1210.
In the other room I held the North cards and my partner, Bill Root, of Boca Raton was South. East opened one diamond and South doubled, but our West opponent made an incredible leap to five diamonds.
This bold bid (“insane” might be a better description) was devastating. There was no way to discover our heart fit, and we elected to double five diamonds for a sure profit of +300 rather than speculate on six clubs (which makes).
The net result of this deal was a loss of 14 IMPs and we lost the 64-deal match by just 10 IMPs. It still hurts when I think about it.
Weak Defense Rewards Weak Two-BidderSince bridge players love to bid and weak two-bids occur about 10 times as often as strong two-bids, it is only a matter of time before the strong two-bid becomes extinct. Weak two-bids apply in three suits (diamonds, hearts and spades) in order to leave an opening bid of two clubs to show a strong hand.
26. 4 by South
| Both Vul | K Q 9 4 J 2 A Q 7 4 A 9 5 | |
| A J 8 5 8 5 3 J 10 8 3 J 10 | | 10 7 6 3 A 4 9 5 K Q 8 6 4 |
| Lead: J | 2 K Q 10 9 7 6 K 6 2 7 3 2 |
| West Pass | North 4 | East All Pass | South 2 |
South’s two-heart opening showed 6 to 11 high-card points and a six-card suit (being vulnerable, the suit should be of good quality). North gave a fleeting thought to placing the contract in notrump, but then wisely opted to raise to game in hearts (three notrump would be set two tricks with a club lead).
Four hearts is an excellent contract with any lead but a club, but that is the lead West found.
Declarer made a good play by ducking the first trick, and the second club lead was taken by dummy’s ace. Needing to develop a fast discard, the spade king was led to West’s ace, and West returned… a diamond!
Everything was peachy now — the diamond lead was taken in dummy to discard a club on the spade queen, the heart ace was dislodged and trumps were drawn to make the contract.
West’s diamond return was based on the hope that East held the diamond king, but this was faulty reasoning. Declarer’s early spade play revealed his intentions, and West should have foreseen the need to find a quick entry to his partner’s hand before declarer could discard a club loser.
It seems unnatural for West to lead a trump around to declarer’s hand, especially when dummy contains no ruffing threat, but that was the proper play. The only real hope was to find East with the ace of hearts.
Bidding Provides Clue To Winning PlayAfter West’s one-spade opening was passed around, South was too strong for a balancing bid of one notrump or two diamonds (each of which would be limited to at most 15 points), so he made a takeout double. North responded in his long suit and South continued to two notrump to show 16-18 points. North showed good judgment in raising to game, based on the additional value of his sturdy club suit.
27. 3 NT by South
| None Vul | 8 7 2 K 9 7 10 2 K J 10 8 6 | |
| K J 9 6 3 Q 4 3 K 3 A 7 2 | | 10 4 J 10 6 5 8 7 5 4 Q 5 3 |
| Lead: 6 | A Q 5 A 8 2 A Q J 9 6 9 4 |
| West 1 Pass Pass | North Pass 2 3 NT | East Pass Pass All Pass | South Dbl 2 NT |
West led a spade to East’s 10 and South’s queen, and declarer considered his line of play. The bidding clearly indicated that West held most of the outstanding high cards. Conceding a diamond trick to the king would result in only eight tricks (four diamonds, two hearts and two spades), so it was necessary to establish at least one club trick. Further, the club suit itself might provide enough tricks for the contract (four clubs, two hearts, two spades and one diamond).
Therefore, South led the club nine at trick two and West followed small. It was tempting to let this ride for a finesse, but South was certain that West held the ace and the location of the queen was in doubt. On that basis there was a sure play for the contract: He rose with the club king and then ran the diamond 10 to West’s king to establish nine tricks.
Did you spot the defensive error? West could have defeated the contract with a farsighted play. On the club lead he could have taken the ace and continued spades to force out the ace. Declarer could then set up the club suit by finessing into East, but this would give him only eight tricks (three clubs, one diamond, two hearts and two spades). East would return a diamond upon winning the club queen, and declarer could not establish another trick without allowing West to gain the lead.
Anemic Trump Suit Is No Cause For AlarmEveryone occasionally reaches a suit contract with a weak trump suit, and it is a natural tendency is to be shy of leading that suit during the play. But this is totally wrong.
Instead of worrying, “How did I get in this mess?” you should be asking yourself, “How can I get out of it?” The solution is usually to lead trumps. In general, the weaker your trump suit is, the more desirable it is to lead that suit to cause the enemy high trumps to fall together. Otherwise, the opponents will win their high trumps separately.
Today’s deal, from a local team game, is a good case in point. South correctly felt his 15-point hand was worth a one-notrump opening because of the abundance of tens, and North responded two-clubs (the Stayman convention) to ask for a four-card major. This resulted in a reasonable four-heart contract. South was a little concerned that his trump suit was only jack-high, but he expected his partner to have at least one of the missing honors.
28. 4 by South
| E-W Vul | K Q 8 2 7 4 3 2 8 5 A 6 2 | |
| J 4 K Q 9 Q 9 7 4 2 K 7 5 | | 10 9 7 6 5 A 8 J 6 9 8 4 3 |
| Lead: 4 | A 3 J 10 6 5 A K 10 3 Q J 10 |
| West Pass Pass | North 2 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 1 NT 2 |
West led a diamond and, when North laid down 7-4-3-2 in trumps, South was mentally defeated. He tried to salvage whatever tricks he could by ruffing a diamond in dummy, but this was overruffed by East to defeat the contract. South dismissed the incident with “Sorry, partner, your trumps weren’t strong enough…” and everyone went on to the next deal.
South went down in a cold contract. Four hearts required only a successful club finesse and a normal trump break. There was no urgency to ruff a diamond in dummy (one diamond could be ruffed later and the other discarded on a spade winner).
All declarer had to do was lead trumps.
“A Christmas Stocking” Captures Holiday FlavorA Christmas Stocking is a collection of six short bridge stories, each centering around the activities at a bridge club during the holiday season. The characters are charming, usually humorous and often reflective of people you know in real life.
One of the stories, “Millard Pringle’s Christmas,” concerns a regular club player who “in his prime, was probably the worst bridge player to come along since the game was invented.” Today’s deal is a tribute to Millard’s declarer play technique.
29. 4 by South
| Both Vul | 4 J 4 2 A K Q 8 7 A K 7 6 | |
| J 10 9 — J 10 9 6 5 4 3 2 9 8 | | 8 7 6 K Q 10 8 6 3 — J 10 5 4 |
| Lead: J | A K Q 5 3 2 A 9 7 5 — Q 3 2 |
| West Pass Pass Pass | North 2 3 4 | East Pass Pass All Pass | South 1 2 3 |
Stewart writes: “Millard, South, was allowed to play in four spades… West led the diamond jack and Millard put up the ace, overruffing happily with the queen when East ruffed. Next he went to the club king and tried another high diamond. East ruffed again, and once more Millard overruffed. Still another club to dummy was followed by a third high diamond, with the same inevitable result.
“After overruffing East for the third time, Millard gingerly led a trump at trick six. West won and claimed the rest, drawing trumps. Declarer took five tricks. Five down!
“One of the better players contended warmly, ‘Surely, this one wins the prize. He’s cold for 13 tricks, assuming he plays low from dummy at trick one and East forgets to ruff. How can you top a loss of eight tricks in stroking the dummy?’”
The bright red, hardbound, 64-page book is illustrated by Joellen Watkins and makes an attractive holiday gift for any bridge player. It may be ordered postpaid from the author for $8.00 (check or money order). Write to: Stocking, P.O. Box 18099, Memphis TN 38181-0099. Order before December 10 to ensure delivery by Christmas.
Diamond Play Does Not DazzleThe jump to four clubs was the Gerber convention to ask for aces. It is customary to use this ace-asking method over notrump bids. (The Blackwood four-notrump bid applies only over suit bids.) North responded four hearts (one ace) and South was obliged to sign off in game since two aces were missing.
30. 5 by South
| E-W Vul | K 7 5 A J 8 9 7 2 K Q 10 4 | |
| Q J 10 6 2 10 6 5 4 — 8 6 5 2 | | A 9 4 3 K 7 3 8 5 A J 9 7 |
| Lead: Q | 8 Q 9 2 A K Q J 10 6 4 3 3 |
| West Pass Pass All Pass | North 1 1 NT 4 | East Pass Pass Pass | South 1 4 5 |
West led the spade queen and dummy’s king was captured with the ace. South ruffed the next spade lead and drew the outstanding trumps in two rounds. Before tackling the heart suit, declarer led his singleton club: six, king, ace; and East forced South to ruff another spade. Declarer crossed to dummy with a trump to cash the club queen and ruff a club, hoping the jack might appear. This proved fruitless so declarer eventually had to try the heart finesse — down one.
Declarer did not win any medals in the play. His only consolation was the small profit obtained from his 150 honors. Perhaps he was so mesmerized by these “honors” that he overlooked the surefire line of play to make his contract.
After ruffing the second spade, he should have drawn trumps with the ace and nine (ending in dummy) in order to ruff the remaining spade in his hand. This simple maneuver would have eliminated the avenue of exit, and East would be endplayed when he captured the club king with the ace.
Any return by East would give declarer his contract. Note that East could not gain by holding off his club ace, as South would then avoid a club loser and the contract could easily be made by conceding a heart trick to the king.
Spot Cards Play Key RoleAs you might expect, both South players found the proper play to make their contract. But I wonder what percentage of the bridge-playing public would have duplicated their feat; I suspect it would be very low.
31. 4 by South
| None Vul | K 2 K Q 8 3 A Q 6 3 9 4 2 | |
| J 9 4 3 10 4 2 10 8 J 10 6 5 | | 8 A J 7 6 5 K J 9 4 Q 8 7 |
| Lead: 2 | A Q 10 7 6 5 9 7 5 2 A K 3 |
| West Pass All Pass | North 1 1 NT | East 1 Pass | South 1 4 |
East overcalled North’s opening bid with one heart and South responded in his fine suit. When North rebid one notrump to show a heart stopper and a balanced hand (hence, at least two spades), South was assured of an eight-card spade fit and he jumped to game without further ado.
Put yourself in the South seat and decide how you would play four spades after West leads a low heart (his partner’s suit). Naturally, you put up dummy’s heart king to force out the ace. Right?
Wrong! You just went down. Sorry, if I talked you into that play; but you must admit that very few people would think of anything else.
The correct play is to duck the opening lead around to the heart nine. One heart trick can always be established later by leading the king through East; but with proper technique it is possible to establish two heart tricks when West has led from 10-x-x or J-x-x — very likely in view of the bidding and the low heart lead.
Assume East wins the first trick with the heart jack and returns a club to your king. Cross to dummy with a trump and lead the heart king (East does best to duck), then continue with the heart queen: ace; ruff; ten.
Dummy’s eight of hearts is now established to provide a much-needed discard. The contract is made despite the bad trump break and losing diamond finesse.
Correct Play Depends On Scoring MethodAt matchpoint duplicate bridge every single trick is important because a player’s score is compared with everyone else who plays that deal. At rubber bridge, however, the only concern for declarer is making his contract; overtricks are of little value. For the most part, the latter is also true at IMPs (international matchpoints). Today’s deal illustrates these two different strategies.
When this deal occurred at rubber bridge, the bidding was straightforward. North’s major-suit opening promised five cards; South made a forcing jump response of two notrump; and North continued to game. The bidding should be same at matchpoint duplicate, or any other form of scoring.
32. 3 NT by South
| N-S Vul | A J 2 K Q 9 8 2 K 4 3 3 2 | |
| 10 7 6 5 3 7 5 4 J 9 K J 5 | | K 8 A 6 3 10 8 7 2 Q 10 9 6 |
| Lead: 5 | Q 9 4 J 10 A Q 6 5 A 8 7 4 |
| West Pass | North 1 3 NT | East Pass All Pass | South 2 NT |
West led his fourth-best spade and declarer played low from dummy, losing to East’s king. The club 10 was returned and now declarer was in trouble. He tried his best by holding up the club ace until the third round, but this proved fruitless. East gained the lead with the heart ace and cashed the setting trick in clubs.
Did you spot the error? Declarer could have ensured his contract at trick one by rising with the spade ace and leading hearts. The spade queen and jack would provide a second stopper in that suit and, most important, the club suit could not be attacked before dummy’s hearts were established. This play is correct at rubber bridge.
Declarer’s actual play would have been correct (though unfortunate) at matchpoint duplicate. The odds favored that West held the spade king (since it was likely he was leading his longest suit), and the chance for two precious overtricks should be taken — even at the risk of being defeated.
Count Your Top Tricks
33. 3 NT by South
| Both Vul | 5 3 A 7 4 3 A K J 10 9 J 2 | |
| K 10 8 6 2 10 8 5 6 5 K 5 4 | | J 9 7 4 K J 9 Q 8 2 8 7 6 |
| Lead: 6 | A Q Q 6 2 7 4 3 A Q 10 9 3 |
| West Pass All Pass | North 1 2 | East Pass Pass | South 2 3 NT |
After a routine auction, South becomes declarer in three notrump and West leads his fourth-best spade which is won by the queen. Some students now reason, “I have a combined total of eight diamonds and only seven clubs, so diamonds is the suit to establish.” The diamond finesse is taken, losing to Easts queen, and a spade is returned. After running the remaining diamonds, declarer cannot win nine tricks without trying the club finesse; and this is doomed to fail. (Finesses rarely work on lesson deals!)
It should be apparent by now that clubs is the suit to establish, but let’s explore why. In order to plan the play properly it is essential to count top tricks — those which can immediately be cashed as winners. Top tricks must be separated from tricks which need to be established. On this deal declarer should count six top tricks: two spades, one heart, two diamonds and one club. Observe that the ace-queen of spades is counted as two tricks because of the spade lead.
Examination of the diamond suit shows that declarer will gain only two tricks if the finesse loses (do not forget that the ace and king of diamonds have already been counted as top tricks). In the club suit, however, declarer will gain three tricks if the finesse loses. That’s all there is to it.
After winning the spade lead, declarer should cross to the diamond king and lead the club jack. West makes his king; but declarer makes his contract.
Suit Planning TechniqueSome teachers suggest counting “losers” rather than winners; but this is not as dependable and occasionally results in misanalysis (after all, losers don’t win tricks). Today’s deal (another from my lesson program) illustrates the proper way to plan the play.
34. 4 by South
| Both Vul | 8 4 2 7 6 2 A K 6 5 4 K 5 | |
| Q 5 A 10 5 10 7 3 Q 10 9 6 3 | | J 10 6 Q J 9 Q J 9 8 J 7 2 |
| Lead: 10 | A K 9 7 3 K 8 4 3 2 A 8 4 |
| West Pass Pass All Pass | North 2 2 | East Pass Pass Pass | South 1 2 4 |
After a standard auction, West leads a club (the unbid suit) against four spades. It is simple to count declarer’s top tricks in the side suits: the aces and kings of both minor suits. But what about the trump suit? Of course the ace-king of spades is two tricks; but this is not a fair appraisal. Declarer should count all the trump tricks to which he is entitled, assuming a normal trump break. In this case, with a normal three-two break declarer will win four out of his five trumps. (If trumps break badly, declarer must make amends later.) Therefore, an initial analysis gives declarer eight top tricks — four spades, two diamonds and two clubs.
The next step is to look for ways to win additional tricks. This deal contains three chances: (1) ruff a club in the dummy, (2) lead a heart toward the king, and don’t overlook (3) establish the fifth diamond. Finally, develop a plan that encompasses all of your chances (or the best ones if you can’t try them all).
The correct play of today’s deal takes advantage of all the chances: Win the club ace (preserving dummy’s king as an entry); ace-king of trumps; diamond ace; diamond king (discard a heart); diamond ruff; club king; diamond ruff; club ruff. The remaining diamond is good so lead it and discard another heart. Chances 1 and 3 came through to give you two additional tricks — and your contract.
Local Player Invents New BidJoe Adlersberg of Pompano Beach attended the final three days of the tournament and placed high in several events. Joe is an experienced player with many successes including a North American Championship under his belt. His bridge technique is quite sound, but not far and beyond that of the average player. Joe’s knack for winning instead comes from his excellent “table feel” — an intangible ability that many players lack. Joe is clever, resourceful and sometimes innovative as today’s deal shows.
35. 6 by South
| Both Vul | A Q 10 7 5 4 A 4 J 9 6 5 3 | |
| J 9 8 J 10 2 10 9 7 3 7 4 2 | | 3 K Q 7 6 5 Q J 8 6 5 K Q |
| Lead: J | K 6 2 9 8 4 3 A K 2 A 10 8 |
| West Pass Pass Pass | North 4 4 NT 6 | East 1 Pass Pass All Pass | South Dbl 4 5 |
Adlersberg, North, responded to his partner’s takeout double with a bid I (and probably the entire bridge world) have never heard of: a jump to game in the enemy suit. Obviously, if he expected to make four hearts, he would have passed the takeout double and collected 1100 points (down four if he could win 10 tricks); so this bizarre bid could not be natural. What did it mean? Who knows! (Or, if you prefer, who cares!) In any event South, lacking four cards in any unbid suit, chose to bid four spades which was much to North’s delight.
Four notrump was Roman key-card Blackwood, an improved version of the ace-asking convention in which the king of the trump suit is counted as an ace. Five clubs showed 0 or 3 key cards. (Other responses: Five diamonds = 1 or 4; Five hearts = 2 or 5 without the trump queen; Five spades = 2 or 5 with trump queen.) North then proceeded to the odds-on slam which was easily made, losing only one club trick.
Slam Bid Wins MatchJim and Marietta Beery of Lauderhill (teamed with this writer and son, Richie) led the qualifiers with a record of six wins and no losses. I felt sure we had lost one match when Richie overbid on a hand, got doubled and went for a “telephone number.” But Jim and Marietta pulled out the match by reaching a slam on today’s deal that was not bid by the opposing team.
36. 6 by South
| None Vul | 9 3 J 7 6 2 9 2 A Q J 9 2 | |
| K J 7 4 K Q 10 4 3 8 7 6 5 | | Q 10 8 5 A 9 8 5 10 8 7 6 4 — |
| Lead: K | A 6 2 3 A K Q J 5 K 10 4 3 |
| West Pass Pass Pass All Pass | North 1 3 5 | East Pass Pass Pass | South 1 2 3 6 |
Marietta, South, opened one diamond and Jim, North, responded in his moth-eaten heart suit. When South rebid two clubs, North offered some encouragement with a raise to three. South’s three-spade bid showed the ace (it could not be a real suit from her failure to bid one spade over one heart) and North leaped to game in clubs. (No one ever accused Jim of being a shy bidder.) This jump bid surely indicated good trumps, so South used excellent judgment in bidding the slam.
Declarer made short work of the play when West led the heart king and continued the suit, South ruffing. A club was led to dummy’s jack to ruff another heart with the club king; then the club 10 was overtaken with dummy’s queen to draw all of West’s trumps and claim the rest.
A more accurate defense (e.g., a heart lead then a shift to another suit) would have defeated the slam because of the cruel distribution of the minor suits. But the contract was an excellent one — the reward was just.
Beating the UnbeatableThe bidding was the same at most tables: South opened one notrump and North responded two clubs (Stayman) to search for a possible spade fit. When South rebid two diamonds to deny a four-card major, North proceeded directly to the most likely game contract.
37. 3 NT by South
| None Vul | A K 10 9 6 2 J 6 4 2 K 4 3 | |
| 8 7 6 Q J 9 7 8 5 J 9 8 2 | | Q 4 2 K 10 5 3 A 9 3 10 7 6 |
| Lead: Q | J 5 3 A 8 4 K Q 10 7 A Q 5 |
| West Pass Pass | North 2 3 NT | East Pass All Pass | South 1 NT 2 |
After a heart lead, the play appears routine. It makes no difference on which round South wins the heart ace — it is inevitable to lose three heart tricks and the diamond ace, after which declarer has nine winners: two spades, one heart, three diamonds and three clubs. You might expect this to be duplicated at every table for a flat result. Not so! One declarer was defeated in three notrump.
Could anyone play that badly? I suppose, but that was not the case; the ill-fated declarer was a victim of clever defense. South ducked the heart queen and ducked again when East produced the king on the next round. After winning the third heart lead, South led the diamond king to force out the ace and East returned… a diamond! That’s right; East did not bother to lead his remaining heart, even though he knew his partner held the jack. The trap was set.
Declarer was now convinced that East held no more hearts. Wouldn’t you think so? With only three tricks lost, it seemed safe to try for an overtrick by taking the spade finesse. After all, even if it lost, East was out of hearts (ha ha) and declarer would win the rest. Ouch! If only you could have seen South’s expression when East produced a heart for down one!
East demonstrated a fine defensive principle: Do not hurry to win a trick that books declarer. Look for the setting trick.
Cagey Bidding Nets RewardAlan Kleist of Ft. Lauderdale employed this tactic on today’s deal, which occurred last Sunday at the Pompano Beach Bridge Club in a Grand National Teams qualifying game. Kleist, South, passed as dealer and then overcalled three diamonds after West opened a weak two-bid and East responded in spades. At his next turn he bid five diamonds — the contract he had in mind all along — and East ended the auction with a double.
38. 5 x by South
| E-W Vul | J 10 9 3 A 10 7 4 2 J Q 9 4 | |
| K 8 2 K Q J 8 6 5 9 7 5 3 | | A Q 7 6 5 4 9 K Q 7 K J 8 |
| Lead: K | — 3 A 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 A 10 6 2 |
| West 2 3 Pass | North Pass Pass Pass | East 2 4 Dbl | South Pass 3 5 All Pass |
Five diamonds is by no means a laydown, but Kleist found a way to make it. The spade lead was ruffed and dummy was entered with a heart to lead a low club; jack; ace. A club was returned to the queen and king, and East led another spade which South ruffed. A low club was led to dummy’s nine, then a diamond through East held him to one trump trick.
East could defeat the contract by playing low on the first club lead, as this prevents a later entry to dummy. Curiously, the only way to succeed against perfect defense is for declarer to lead the club 10 from his hand at trick two.
Kleist’s team, which included Ed Silver, John Lyddon and Jim Long, led the qualifiers with a perfect record.
The Lowly DeuceHelen Shanbrom of Tamarac managed this feat with the club suit on today’s deal — not legitimately of course, but with a little help from her opponents. North’s one-diamond opening was a bit strange (one spade is recommended… though I then would have had no story) and Shanbrom, South, responded one spade. North offered a jump raise and South continued to game.
39. 4 by South
| Both Vul | K 9 8 5 4 A 10 A K 10 7 6 4 | |
| 2 Q 9 8 7 4 8 3 K Q 10 9 8 | | Q 10 6 K J 6 5 2 A J 7 6 5 |
| Lead: K | A J 7 3 3 2 Q J 9 5 4 3 2 |
| West Pass All Pass | North 1 3 | East Pass Pass | South 1 4 |
West led the club king, South contributing the three (aesthetically correct); then West shifted to a heart, taken by dummy’s ace. Declarer’s first hurdle was the trump suit. The normal play with nine trumps is to cash the ace and king; but with a singleton club in dummy (and knowing that one opponent held a singleton or void in diamonds), declarer elected to cash the king and finesse the jack. This reasoning has no mathematical basis; however, it is amazing how often it holds true with hand-dealt cards. In any event it worked, so who can argue?
Declarer continued by leading all of dummy’s trumps (throwing a heart) and then five rounds of diamonds, ending in the South hand. This reduced everyone to one card. East and West both reasoned that South’s last card would be a heart since a club could have been ruffed in dummy earlier. (Of course this was faulty reasoning because dummy held the longer trumps and a ruff therein would not have helped declarer.)
With all the enemy clubs discarded, South won the last trick with the deuce and earned an absolute top score.
Fierce BiddingThe popular Swiss Team event was captured by the Broward County team of Arthur “Gabby” Coren, Richard Coren (son), Richard Golden and Fred Hamilton. Today’s deal occurred in their fifth-round match against a contending team, and it illustrates the fierce competition at duplicate bridge.
40. 6 x by South
| N-S Vul | 3 9 7 5 4 2 A K 7 3 8 6 4 | |
| K Q J 10 6 — 9 6 5 4 Q 9 3 2 | | A 9 7 5 A Q 8 2 K J 10 7 5 |
| Lead: K | 8 4 2 K J 10 6 3 Q J 10 8 A |
| West 1 4 5 Dbl | North Pass 2 5 Pass 6 | East 1 3 Dbl Pass Dbl | South 1 4 Pass 6 All Pass |
Richard Coren, North, passed as dealer, but then came to life when Hamilton, South, overcalled in hearts. His two-diamond bid may seem strange, but he wanted to indicate where his strength lay. He knew the bidding would not end there; in fact, he expected this to be the starting gun for a competitive auction.
And so it was: East jump-raised spades, South raised diamonds, West bid more spades and North raised hearts. East took time out for a questionable double, but West removed this to five spades. It was now up to South, who pushed aggressively to six diamonds at unfavorable vulnerability. West doubled and North corrected to six hearts, also doubled.
Did Hamilton make his six-heart contract? No way. He had to lose a spade and a heart for down one. (Yes, the armchair defense of a diamond lead, followed by an underlead of the spade ace, would result in a diamond ruff and a two-trick set; would you have found it?) Nonetheless, six hearts (minus 200) was the winning bid because Gabby Coren and Richard Golden made five spades (plus 450) at the other table for a gain of 250 points.
Tournaments Are FunWhat to do? All you need do is arrive before game time — if you need a partner, come about a half hour early and one will be arranged for you. The entry fee is $3.00 (less than the cost of a movie) and that includes free orange juice and coffee. You will play duplicate bridge for three hours. Then you may watch how the scores are tallied by computer (it’s exciting to see). And who knows? You might be surprised how well you did!
Today’s deal occurred in last year’s tournament and a normal four-heart contract was reached at most tables. West began by cashing two high spades and then shifted to the diamond jack. With an obvious club loser remaining, declarer had to guess which way to finesse in trumps to capture the queen.
41. 4 by South
| Both Vul | J 5 4 2 K 10 3 Q 3 K 9 7 4 | |
| A K Q 9 3 Q 2 J 10 4 6 5 2 | | 10 7 8 6 4 9 8 7 6 5 Q J 10 |
| Lead: K | 8 6 A J 9 7 5 A K 2 A 8 3 |
| West 1 Pass | North 2 4 | East Pass All Pass | South 1 3 |
Some declarers guessed right; some did not. Would you have guessed it? Now be honest! At the table you c