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Hand played on |
17th May 2007 |
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Board number 13 |
Red Section |
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Dealer |
North |
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Vulnerability |
Both |
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Submitted by |
Alaric Cundy |
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North ♠ A86532 ♥ K95 ♦ 54 ♣ J2 |
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West ♠ KJ4 ♥ AJT84 ♦ K7 ♣ AQ5 |
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East ♠ T97 ♥ Q32 ♦ Q8632 ♣ 64 |
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North |
Bidding:
East |
South |
West |
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South ♠ Q ♥ 76 ♦ AJT9 ♣ KT9873 |
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No No End |
No 3♦
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3♣ No |
x 3NT
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North decided not to open a 'Multi' / weak 2, due to the vulnerability and the poor quality of the spade suit.
Not everyone would view the South hand as a pre-emptive opening, but vulnerable a three-level opening ought to show reasonable strength, and third in hand with only three cards in the major suits, there are very strong arguments in favour of the bid. As often happens in such situations, the bid helped to steer the opponents into an improbable contract, and also helped partner to find the killing lead of the ♣J.
Declarer tried to set up tricks in spades and that allowed North in to clear the clubs while South still held the ♦A as an entry, and in the event, Declarer was held to 6 tricks.
Had South opened just 1♣ or even passed, or had North opened to show a weak hand with spades, West would face a much easier ride, and presumably that happened at other tables. Several Wests finished in 3♥ - again, not a happy contract, but it only failed by one trick. Two East / Wests made nine tricks in No Trumps - one having bid game - but presumably North was not not directed to the club lead. On, say, a spade lead, West is likely to have time to establish two spades, four hearts, one diamond, and two clubs, though even on the spade lead 3NT needs great care. One North played in 3♠ - probably a contract he / she would rather forget!
There was brief mention at the table as to how 3♣ doubled would have fared. West would face a fairly horrible choice of opening lead, unless partner had been persuaded to squeak a Diamond bid. Potentially, Declarer could restrict the losers to two trumps and one heart and one diamond - unless West starts with the ♦K, after which 3♣ doubled can be defeated through careful defence. If the ♦K is taken, then when Declarer tries to draw trumps, West can clear Dummy's trumps and cross to partner, courtesy of the ♦Q, and then score a crucial fifth trick via a diamond ruff. If the ♦K is not taken, then inevitably Declarer has a second natural diamond loser.