Some players find it difficult to count an opponent's high card
points. Here is a hand where it was essential.
Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)
Hand #50
Dlr
E
Vul
N/S
83
J9832
KJ4
QJ6
1097542
6
106
8743
KQJ
A10
Q8753
K109
A6
KQ754
A92
A52
West
North
East
South
1NT
DBL
2*
DBL
2
4
All Pass
*Transfer
BIDDING: East opened 1NT
showing a range of 15-17 HCP. South made a penalty double and
poor West transferred to his weak but long spade suit.
North doubled the transfer bid to show hearts along with some
values. South quickly jumped to game.
PLAY: West led the ten of spades and declarer saw he had
a possible loser in each suit. He could succeed if the diamond
finesse would work but some quick math told him that East needed every
missing honor card to reach a 1NT opener. South realized he might
be able to end-play East so the first spade was ducked and the ace won
the second round. Next declarer led the king of hearts won by
East who returned a heart to dummy's jack. Now the queen of clubs
was led and if East ducked, the ace and another club would force East
to win and return a diamond. (Or, declarer could play three
rounds of diamonds to force East to lead a club away from his
king.) But, East covered the queen of clubs and declarer won the
ace and played the jack and a third club. Unfortunately for East,
he was forced to win and return a diamond so declarer made his
contract. If East held only the ten he would have discarded it on
the club jack to avoid being thrown into the lead.
Those declarers who forgot the bidding or wouldn't count to 15 simply
took the diamond finesse and went down.
*