IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

Transfer bids have been around since the 1950’s but were originally used only for the major suits.  Transfers into the minors are now being used by many pairs and can be very helpful in reaching the right contract. 

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-16

Dlr

S

Vul

N/S

S

10

H

J63

D

103

C

AJ97642

S

KQ74

H

K5

D

9842

C

1083

  pad  

S

AJ832

H

10942

D

KJ65

C

 

 

S

965

H

AQ87

D

AQ7

C

KQ5

West

North

East

South

   

   

  

  1NT

  Pass  

  2S* 

 Pass   

  2NT

   Pass       3S**      Pass       5C

   Pass      Pass       Pass

 

    *transfer to clubs

   **spade shortness

 

 

BIDDING:  North wasn’t sure how bid his hand but started with a transfer to clubs.  South liked his hand and showed a “super accept” by bidding 2NT.  North’s next bid showed a singleton or void in spades so 3NT was no longer an option.  South just decided to bid what he thought he could make.

 

PLAY:  West led the king of spades and East overtook with the ace to shift to a low diamond.  Looking at an almost certain heart loser, declarer was forced to take the diamond finesse.  When that succeeded, declarer wrapped up his game losing only one spade and one heart.

 

Those N/S pairs who ended in 3NT should have lost five spade tricks but after a spade to the ace and a low one returned, some West players won cheaply with the seven and could only collect two more tricks.

 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny