IMPROVE YOUR PLAY #06-03 with Larry Matheny

One of the most popular contracts in duplicate bridge is 3NT.  It it the game that requires the fewest tricks but, of course, doesn't provide the protection of a trump suit.  The successful declarer must carefully count his tricks and mind his entries.  Take a look at this hand.

Scoring:  Matchpoints

Hand #3
Dlr  E
Vul N-S
S 1054
H 762
D AK
C A9832
S J2
H QJ
D J109874
C K105
    
S Q9863
H 10953
D 65
C QJ

S AK7
H AK84
D Q32
C 764
West North
 East
 South


Pass
 1NT
    Pass     3NT All Pass
    
  
BIDDING:   The auction was a standard 1NT-3NT.

PLAY:  West led the jack of diamonds and declarer could count only eight tricks.  The ninth one could come from a 3-3 heart division (36%) or a 3-2 club division (68%).  Knowing the math made the decision easy so he proceeded to develop the club suit.  Unfortunately, the opponents were attacking his entries to dummy with their diamond lead.  Realizing he needed to lose two clubs tricks in order to gain his ninth winner, he led a low club from dummy at trick two.  East won and returned a second diamond to dummy's king.  South led another low club keeping the ace in dummy as an entry to the last club.  Declarer now had his nine tricks: 2 spades, 2 hearts, 3 diamonds, and 2 clubs. 

There is nothing difficult about this hand but several declarers failed in a local club game.  Note the alternative play in the heart suit would fail.  It is important to know how the outstanding cards are likely to be distributed.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.