IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

 Slam bidding can be difficult but sometimes it’s just a matter of visualizing twelve tricks.  This is a very easy slam to bid.

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-32

Dlr

E

Vul

E/W

S

9

H

A854

D

AK6

C

AQ1065

S

KJ1076

H

K762

D

83

C

82

  pad  

S

AQ543

H

J3

D

54

C

9743

 

S

82

H

Q109

D

QJ10972

C

KJ

West

North

East

South

   

 

   Pass

    2D

   Pass

  2NT  

   Pass

   3C

    Pass      6D           Pass     Pass

    Pass

 

 

BIDDING:  After South’s weak-two diamond bid, North used 2NT to ask for an outside ace or king.  North knew that his partner’s club response showed the king and simply bid the slam.

 

PLAY:  West led a spade and this was declarer’s only loser.  He won the diamond shift, drew trumps, and discarded his two losing hearts and low spade on the good clubs.  What was so surprising is that in a 14 table game, only two pairs bid this slam.  Perhaps people get too involved in counting points when they should be counting tricks.

 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny