IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

Preempts by the opponents can be deadly weapons and they can also be dangerous to the side that preempts.  Here is a hand where North was just a bit too optimistic after hearing his partner’s bid.

 

Scoring:  IMPs (Teams)

Hand#13

Dlr

E

Vul

E/W

S

AKQJ103

H

J

D

AQ106

C

Q7

S

987

H

5

D

KJ73

C

A9864

  pad  

S

542

H

7432

D

9542

C

K2

 

S

6

H

AKQ10986

D

8

C

J1053

West

North

East

South

   

 

   Pass

    4H

   Pass

  4NT*

   Pass

    5S

   Pass

  6H

   End

 

   

 

*Roman Keycard Blackwood

 
BIDDING:  South decided to preempt at the four-level.  His 1-7-1-4 distribution along with the favorable vulnerability convinced him that his hand was too good for a mere 3H bid.  North loved his hand and quickly asked about keycards (4 aces + king of hearts).  South’s response showed two keycards plus the queen of hearts.  Without a great deal of thought, North eagerly bid the slam.


PLAY:  I was sitting West and decided to lead the ace of clubs.  I looked at the discouraging deuce of clubs from my partner and the powerful dummy on my left.  I finally decided there were no other possible tricks and continued with a second club.  I was delighted to see my partner’s king win the trick.  Down one was a gain of eleven IMPs since our partners at the other table stopped at the four-level.

North should realize his partner also needed the king of clubs and holding that card along with solid hearts, the hand was too strong to preempt. 

 

Copyright ©2010 Larry Matheny