TODAY’S
deal arose in an international tournament in Casablanca. Suppose West
leads a low heart, dummy’s queen winning. How would you play the slam?
It is natural to play on trumps first leading the queen, then a low
trump. East has to win an early round, leaving the trump jack as a later
entry. East will probably return a club. Before relying on a club
finesse, you should look for a 3-3 diamond break. You cash the ace and
king of diamonds, then ruff a third round high. Fortune smiles and you
can cross to the jack of trumps to enjoy the diamonds. When Paul Hackett
sat West, he found the brilliant lead of the king of hearts! This pinned
dummy’s bare queen, South winning with the ace. When Michael Elinescu
(East) won the trump ace, he returned the jack of hearts, forcing the
dummy and removing the potential trump entry. This was not actually
necessary, since declarer had three losers (one heart and two clubs) and
only two discards on the diamonds. South eventually took the club
finesse, going one down.
What would you say
now?
Answer
With two opening bids
facing each other, you have enough strength to play in game. Which game,
though? With only A-8-2 in the heart suit you have no reason to be sure
that 3NT is best. Also, if partner has a good hand it is quite possible
that a diamond slam might be on. To investigate further on such hands
you should bid the fourth suit, here 2H. Partner will then be able to
help you with the final decision. Remember that in standard systems
neither 3S not 3D are forcing. Awards; 2H-10, 3NT-5, 3S/3D-2.
TODAY’S
deal arose in an international tournament in Casablanca. Suppose West
leads a low heart, dummy’s queen winning. How would you play the slam?
It is natural to play on trumps first leading the queen, then a low
trump. East has to win an early round, leaving the trump jack as a later
entry. East will probably return a club. Before relying on a club
finesse, you should look for a 3-3 diamond break. You cash the ace and
king of diamonds, then ruff a third round high. Fortune smiles and you
can cross to the jack of trumps to enjoy the diamonds. When Paul Hackett
sat West, he found the brilliant lead of the king of hearts! This pinned
dummy’s bare queen, South winning with the ace. When Michael Elinescu
(East) won the trump ace, he returned the jack of hearts, forcing the
dummy and removing the potential trump entry. This was not actually
necessary, since declarer had three losers (one heart and two clubs) and
only two discards on the diamonds. South eventually took the club
finesse, going one down.
With two opening bids
facing each other, you have enough strength to play in game. Which game,
though? With only A-8-2 in the heart suit you have no reason to be sure
that 3NT is best. Also, if partner has a good hand it is quite possible
that a diamond slam might be on. To investigate further on such hands
you should bid the fourth suit, here 2H. Partner will then be able to
help you with the final decision. Remember that in standard systems
neither 3S not 3D are forcing. Awards; 2H-10, 3NT-5, 3S/3D-2.