Play to Trick One #13-01

IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

Frequently the play to trick one can make or break a contract. Too often not enough thought is given at this very important moment and the contract is doomed to failure. This hand is a very good example of the importance of careful planning at trick one.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

Hand #13-01
Dlr	W
Vul	Both

	A72
	K
	AK632
	KJ86

	QJ9
	10865
	10874
	72

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	QJ743
	QJ95
	A1054

	K1086543
	A92

	Q93

West	North	East	South
Pass	1	1	1
Pass	4	Pass	6
Pass	Pass	Pass

Bidding: I was sitting South and after my partner’s strength showing jump to game, I optimistically bid the slam.

Play: West led the five of hearts to dummy’s king. I saw the slam was cold unless the missing spades were 3-0. Next, I addressed two questions: 1) What if the spades were 3-0? And, 2) is there any play for an overtrick? I saw the answer was the same to both questions: I needed the outstanding diamonds to be 4-4. With this in mind, at trick two I ruffed a diamond to my hand. Next, I cashed the king of spades and received the bad news. Continuing with my plan, I led another spade to dummy’s ace. Then I cashed the ace-king of diamonds pitching two clubs. I next ruffed a diamond to my hand and was delighted to find the 4-4 break. I now had to simply ruff my small heart in dummy and play the last diamond. I discarded my last club as West ruffed with the queen of spades.

Note the contract cannot be made without the diamond ruff at trick two. Of course, I was extremely fortunate West’s opening lead was not a club.