IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

Most bridge players prefer to declare but defense can also be fun.  Here is a hand where E/W were delighted to defend.

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-23

Dlr

S

Vul

N/S

S

Q643

H

63

D

KQ765

C

K6

S

 

H

KQ1097

D

9842

C

AJ75

  pad  

S

J852

H

AJ82

D

A

C

10984

 

S

AK1097

H

54

D

J103

C

Q32

West

North

East

South

   

  

  

   1S

  DBL 

   4S

   DBL       

  Pass

  Pass      Pass              

   

  

 

 

BIDDING:  This N/S pair uses a Big Club system so they open other hands very light.  They should have paid more attention to the vulnerability on this one.

 

PLAY:  West led the king of hearts and the defense was fast and deadly.  East overtook the king with his ace and cashed the ace of diamonds.  Next, he led a heart back to his partner.  West continued with the deuce of diamonds for his partner to ruff.  The deuce asked for the return of the lower side-suit so East next led a club.  West won the ace and gave East a second diamond ruff.  This meant down three and +800 for E/W.

 

Noting the vulnerability, North suggested his partner should have his eyes tested for possible color blindness.  South’s reply was unintelligible. 

 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny