The successful declarer will always looks for ways to avoid taking a
finesse. The following hand demonstrates how important it is to
read the opponents' cards and play accordingly.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)
Hand #41
Dlr
E
Vul
E/W
AK2
A5
AKJ6
QJ73
KQ762
109542
A108
Q7
10943
Q7
96452
J10986543
J8
83
K
West
North
East
South
Pass
4
Pass
6
All Pass
BIDDING: South had
a weak suit but it was eight long so he preempted at the
four-level. North simply bid when he hoped they could
make.
PLAY: West led the king
of hearts hoping to score a trick in that suit along with his ace of
clubs. Declarer was disappointed to receive the only lead to give
him any trouble. He won the ace and studied the problem. It
looked like he would have to rely on the diamond queen being in the
West hand. However, when he drew trumps, West discarded the club
ten telling everyone at the table that he held the ace. Declarer
then realized he didn't need the diamond finesse. He ran all of
his trumps coming down to a four card ending. Since West had to
keep the ace of club along with the queen of hearts, he could only keep
two diamonds. Declarer next played the top two diamonds and was
rewarded when the queen came down in the East hand. The losing
heart and club were deposited on the jack and six of diamonds as
North-South made their slam with an overtrick.
Obviously, those who relied on the diamond finesse were not so
happy.
