IMPROVE YOUR PLAY #41 with Larry Matheny

Many players depend too much on the Blackwood convention and would be better off learning other ways to reach slams.  However, there are hands where it is a very valuable tool.  Here is a good example.

Scoring: Matchpoints

Hand #41
Dlr  N
Vul BOTH
S J108
H J876
D 6
C KJ743
S 94
H KQ53
D 982
C Q1092
    
S 732
H 1042
D J103
C 865

S AKQ65
H A9
D AKQ75
C A
West North
 East
 South

Pass
 Pass
 2C
 Pass 2H* Pass
 2S
    Pass
    3S    Pass
    4NT
    Pass
     5D**     Pass
    5NT  
    Pass
     6C     Pass
     7S
All Pass



*5-7 high card points
**0-3 keycards

BIDDING:  When I picked up the South hand I knew slam was likely, perhaps even a grand.  In response to my 2C opening, partner showed 5-7 high card points with his artificial 2H bid.  After North showed spade support, the odds were very good that I would be able to establish my diamond suit, ruffing in dummy if necessary.  Next I needed to find out if partner held either of the missing kings to take care of my heart loser.  Using Roman Keycard Blackwood, my bid of 5NT confirmed we held all of the missing keycards (4 aces + king of spades) and asked for specific kings.  After partner showed the king of clubs, I bid the grand slam.

PLAY:  West led the king of hearts which I won.  I then played the ace of diamonds followed by a diamond ruffed in dummy.  I came to my hand with the ace of clubs to ruff another diamond.  Next I discarded my losing heart on the king of clubs and played the last spade in dummy.  It was then easy to ruff a heart to my hand and draw the remaining trumps. 

This hand is an excellent example of how useful the convention can be.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.