IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

 

Being able to count to thirteen seems a simple task but it seems some players who have learned it don’t know when to use it.  Take a look at a hand where this simple skill was needed.

 

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand#27

Dlr

E

Vul

N/S

S

J105

H

KQJ

D

KQJ

C

A1032

S

8

H

932

D

109863

C

J875

  pad  

S

976432

H

8754

D

52

C

6

 

S

AKQ

H

A106

D

A74

C

KQ94

West

North

East

South

  

  

   Pass

   2NT

   Pass

   7NT

   Pass

   Pass

   Pass

   

           

   

             

   

 

 

 

BIDDING:  North, who was waiting to open 1NT, was surprised when his partner opened 2NT.  North quickly did the math and bid the grand slam. 

 

PLAY:  West led the ten of diamonds and declarer stopped to count his tricks.  His inventory showed 3 spades, 3 hearts, and 3 diamonds so he had to bring home the club suit.  Rather than assume the suit would divide 3-2, he tried to find out more about the distribution.  After winning the diamond in dummy, he next led the top three spades.  Then he finished the diamonds followed by the hearts.  He had discovered (by simple math) that East had started with 6 spades, 2 diamonds, and (at least) 3 hearts.  That meant East could hold (at most) only 2 clubs.  It was then simple to play the king and queen of clubs to discover that West held 4 of the suit.  Grand slam bid and made.

 

 

 

Copyright ©2010 Larry Matheny