IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

 

There are a number of conventions available to allow you to show two suits when you enter the auction.  However, both suit quality and the vulnerability need to be considered.  If you are not careful, you may be punished.

 

Hand: #12-38         S963

Dlr:  E                              HK4

Vul:  N/S                D64

                              CK106432                                  North   East   South    West

          SQJ104                            S875                                  1NT     2D*     DBL   

          HJ1032                            HA98                      Pass    Pass    Pass

          DQJ1072                          DA3                    

          C                                     CAQJ85                

                              SAK2

                              HQ765

                              DK985                                        *diamonds + higher suit

                              C97

 

Bidding:  I was sitting West considering my response to partner’s 1NT opening.  I was going to start with Stayman and then decide what to do next.  However, South entered the auction showing diamonds and a higher suit.  After examining the vulnerability, I decided even with a hand that contained no ace or king I was going to get rich.  I doubled and that ended the auction.

 

Play:  I led the queen of spades to declarer’s ace.  He led a low heart to dummy’s king and my partner’s ace.  To prevent heart ruffs, East continued with the ace and a second diamond.  Declarer won the king and eventually won only four tricks: 2 spades, 1 heart, and 1 diamond.  The score of +1100 was a top for us.

 

Ironically, if South had simply passed, I would have passed my partner’s 2D response and we would have declared that contract.  Of course taking nine tricks that way would result in only +110.  The loss of that trailing zero would be worth far fewer matchpoints.