Deal of the Week (May 11, 2007) Click here for Archives |
Problem: The Auction: West North East South 1♦ pass pass 1♥ dbl 1NT pass 2♠ pass 3♠ pass 4♠ all pass On today's deal, which took place in a Swiss team-of-four event, the spotlight is on the South hand. South has a difficult balancing decision to make, whether to make a takeout double or to balance with 1♥. Both calls have equal merit, and at the table South chose to bid 1♥. North-South did well to eventually reach 4♠ via the auction shown.
The ♦A is led (opponents lead Ace from Ace-King), East follows with the three. Plan the play after West switches to the ♣3 at trick two. A better line is to win the club return in hand, and play the ♥K. This has the effect of making sure that West wins the trick, preventing them from forcing you in diamonds. Whenever hearts are 3-3 and spades are 3-2, you will make the contract.
On the given layout, i.e. when West holds the ace doubleton in hearts, playing the ♥K will fail. You can give yourself an extra chance by winning the club switch with the Ace in dummy at trick 2, and leading a low heart. If East plays a card lower than the 10, you will cover his card to ensure that West wins the trick. If East is awake and plays the 10 or a higher card, you have lost nothing, and will play the King in accordance with the earlier plan. When East holds four hearts and plays low, like on this hand, this effort of yours pays dividend.
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Bridge Baron deal No : N4565-95631-24042-59972-54048-80017 You can download this deal in PPL format, and view it with Bridge Baron here :Deal Of The Week |
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