IMPROVE YOUR PLAY #29 with Larry Matheny


One of the first lessons in declarer play is the simple finesse.  However, a finesse should be your last resort, not your first and the experienced player will always look for ways to avoid them.   Take a look at this hand.

SCORING: Matchpoints

Hand #29
Dlr   S
Vul E-W
S 87
H Q9843
D J73
C KQ4
S K654
H 5
D 1062
C J10972
    
S AQ932
H 102
D K854
C 63

S J10
H AKJ76
D AQ9
C A85
West North
 East
 South

 
1H
 Pass 2H  Pass 4H
All Pass
   
   
   
 
     



BIDDING:  South held a huge hand but it was unlikely North held enough values for slam so they settled in game.

PLAY:  West led the JC and South saw there were two spades and a possible diamond trick to be lost.  Since this was a pairs event, overtricks were important.  He saw a way to possibly avoid a diamond loser: he drew trumps, played the remaining two high clubs, and then led a spade.  After cashing a second spade, the opponents must lead a diamond or allow declarer to discard a diamond while ruffing in the other hand.  On this occasion, East won the second spade and his diamond return was passed around to dummy's jack.  Another diamond to declarer's queen resulted in eleven tricks and a good score.

Note that if declarer attacked the diamond suit he would always lose a trick.  If he led dummy's jack, East would cover with the king and West's ten would win a trick.  The alternative play of a low diamond from dummy to finesse with the queen would win, but declarer would still have a diamond loser. 

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.