When defending a contract the auction and play of the hand will usually
help you decide on the best course of action, but sometimes you just
have to hope. Take a look.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)
Hand #37
Dlr
E
Vul
N/S
J9732
AK96
2
K53
KQ104
J10754
J3
J10
A85
Q8
1096
AQ964
6
32
AKQ8754
872
West
North
East
South
1
3
DBL*
Pass
Pass
Pass
*Negative double
BIDDING: East's hand wasn't very
strong but it's one that everyone seems to open these days. South
made a preemptive jump bid and holding a weak hand, West made a very
questionable negative double. East had no place to go so he
passed hoping for down one. After all, South was vulnerable and
+200 would be better than a partscore.
PLAY:
West obediently led
his partner's suit and declarer was delighted to count nine possible
tricks. Declarer ducked and West continued with the ten of
clubs. Declarer played the king and East won the trick.
South's vulnerable jump suggested a solid or near solid suit so East
was understandably worried. He cashed the ace of spades and West
encouraged but East knew from the negative double that declarer would
hold only one spade. Next East cashed the nine of clubs and felt
better when declarer followed. It appeared declarer had 1-2-7-3
distribution so East saw the only way to defeat the hand was to find
his partner with the jack or queen of trumps. Accordingly, East
played a fourth club and declarer had no answer. If he ruffed low
West would overruff and if he ruffed high, it would promote a trump
trick for E/W.
Even though the result earned them a top board, East made a note to
discuss with his partner the strength needed for a three level negative
double.
