IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

Partnership cooperation is important at bridge and this is especially true when on defense.  Here is a hand that illustrates that point.

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-13

Dlr

S

Vul

BOTH

S

A1032

H

76

D

76

C

QJ953

S

9

H

AK832

D

K1095

C

A42

  pad  

S

87

H

QJ54

D

J843

C

1076

 

S

KQJ654

H

109

D

AQ2

C

K8

West

North

East

South

   

   

  

    1S

   2H

   2S

  Pass       

    4S

   Pass     Pass       Pass

 

 

BIDDING:  After South opened the bidding, West was hesitant to overcall vulnerable with only a five-card suit but he felt his hand was strong enough to warrant the gamble.  North raised and South made a very aggressive leap to game.

 

PLAY:  West led the ace of hearts to which his partner followed with the queen.  This promised either the jack or a singleton queen.  West followed with the eight of hearts to the jack and East shifted to a low diamond.  Declarer had no choice but to finesse the queen and the contract was quickly defeated.  If West carelessly cashes his king of hearts at trick two, declarer will be able to win whatever card West exits with, draw trumps, and knock out the ace of clubs.  East will never gain the lead to put a diamond on the table. 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny