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Hand played on |
January 31st 2008 |
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Board number |
28 (Combined Section) |
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Dealer |
West |
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Vulnerability |
NS Vulnerable |
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Submitted by |
Alaric Cundy |
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North ♠KJ93 ♥AJ3 ♦T84 ♣J75 |
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West ♠T64 ♥KQ82 ♦AQ953 ♣2 |
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East ♠52 ♥T97 ♦KJ72 ♣QT93 |
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North |
Bidding:
East |
South |
West |
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♠AQ87 ♥654 ♦6 ♣AK864 |
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No x 4♠ |
No 3♦ End |
1♣ 3♠ |
No 1♦ No |
North's double of 1♦ was 'negative' - showing values and implying length in the two unbid suits. [Had North bid 1♠ in this situation it would have implied a 5-card suit. ] East attempted to sow confusion with the 3♦ bid, but South was undeterred and tried 3♠, which partner raised to game.
West started with the singleton club. Declarer surveyed the hand and saw two potential heart losers, one diamond, and a club. The best hope looked like to win the lead, draw trumps (hopefully in three rounds), cash a second club, give up a club, and then discard two of Dummy's hearts on the long clubs, setting up a heart ruff in Dummy. However, what was this two of clubs lead? Leading into Declarer's first bid suit is an unusual choice, and surely suggested that it was a singleton, so Declarer planned accordingly, correctly placing East with QT93 in the suit.
The Jack was played from Dummy, covered by the Queen and Ace. Trumps were drawn in three rounds, ending in Dummy. The seven of clubs was played from Dummy, East covered with the nine, and Declarer made the key play of allowing the nine to hold. The defence attempted to cash two diamond tricks, but Declarer ruffed the second round, crossed to Dummy's Ace of hearts, and led the remaining club, taking the marked finesse against East's ten. Dummy's remaining two hearts went on the fourth and fifth clubs, so Declarer was able to ruff a heart in Dummy, amassing in total four clubs, one heart, four 'natural' trumps and a heart ruff, for ten in total.
Without the club lead and without reading it carefully Declarer would be doomed to two club losers - one of which could have been ruffed in Dummy, but instead of, rather than as well as, ruffing the heart - and Declarer would then be a trick short.
At four tables, East / West were allowed to play in a diamond contract, typically making nine tricks, but one Declarer fell one short. At all other tables the hand was played in spades by North / South, usually in a part-score, but three other Declarers tried and failed in 4♠. At one other table Declarer made ten tricks in a spade part-score, which in practice yielded a second top for North / South.
There are at least three 'lessons to learn' here:
Firstly, in the bidding North / South ought to be able to find their spade fit courtesy of a negative double from North. The game in spades is a bit ambitious, but 3♠ should be reached
Secondly, for the opening lead, unless there is some clear reason to do so, leading into Declarer's side suit rarely gives advantage to the defenders - even if the holding is a tempting singleton
Thirdly, Declarer should always look long and hard at the opening lead, draw whatever inferences are available, and then plan the play of the hand accordingly