IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

 

Sometimes it only takes one bid to throw an auction completely out of control.  Take a look at this wild ride.

 

Scoring:  IMPs (Teams)

#13-40

Dlr

S

Vul

N/S

S

 

H

32

D

KJ1096

C

J109832

S

 A76

H

 KJ10654

D

 874

C

 4

/images/pad.bmp

S

 9543

H

 Q987

D

 52

C

 AKQ

 

S

KQJ1082

H

A

D

AQ3

C 

765

 

 

  West

 North

East

South

    -  

-

 -

 1S

    2H

 DBL

   2S

 3H

    Pass

    4C

   Pass

    6S

    Pass

   Pass

   Pass     

   

    

 

 

 

 

   

  

  

 

 

 

 

   

       

   

Bidding:  North’s negative double with only five high card points was ill-advised.  South believed him, and expecting more values in the minor suits, bid very aggressively.  South certainly had a good hand but leaping to slam was too much.

 

Play:  West led his singleton club and the defense soon captured the first three tricks.  Declarer still had to lose the ace of spades for down three.  I was North at the other table and when my partner opened 1S, West passed, I passed, and so did East.  Playing in 1S, the defense could take the same four tricks but my partner was allowed to make eleven tricks. 

 

You have to admit, playing 1S at one table and 6S at the other table doesn’t happen very often. 

 

 

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny