IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

with Larry Matheny

In a pairs game you need to maximize your plus scores so overtricks are important. This hand provided declarer a safe and easy way to find an extra trick.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#12-08
Dlr	W
Vul	none

	KQ743
	752
	A106
	105

	J52
	J
	QJ752
	QJ87

	A96
	Q106
	K93
	6432

	108
	AK9843
	84
	AK9

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	Pass	1
Pass	2*	Pass	4
Pass	Pass	Pass
*Drury

BIDDING: After first passing, North showed a limit raise in hearts by using the Drury convention and South bid the game.

Play: West led a low spade to the king and ace. East shifted to a low diamond won with the ace in dummy. Declarer noted the contract was not in danger as long as the trumps were not divided 4-0. At trick three, declarer played a heart to his ace and after both followed, he looked for an overtrick. He cashed another high heart followed by the top two clubs. Next he played the king of spades and ruffed a spade. When that suit divided 3-3, he ruffed his last club in dummy and discarded his diamond loser on a good spade. He lost only one spade and one heart.

Copyright ©2012 Larry Matheny