Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 12/01/2017
Level: Intermediate
This deal was (mis)played in the 2017 Team Trials by a former world champion. Try your luck with his South cards:
AK86
J52
--
AKJ1052
At unfavorable vulnerability, he opened the bidding 1 in second seat. LHO overcalled 1 and partner made a negative double (promising both majors). RHO made a constructive diamond raise and opener jumped to 4. Everyone passed and the A was led:
Q1072
Q764
K102
43
|
| |
AK86
J52
--
AKJ1052
|
The A was led, ruffed by declarer. He played the AK (all following) and then a spade to the queen (RHO throwing a diamond). Now what?
A club was led to the jack and the finesse won. If you try the A next, you are down. Here is the Real deal:
Vul:North-South
Dlr: East |
Q1072
Q764
K102
43
|
|
543
K1098
AQ985
8
|
|
J9
A3
J7643
Q976
|
| |
AK86
J52
--
AKJ1052
|
|
After the A ruffed, declarer drew trumps. When a club to the jack held and the A revealed the 4-1 break, there was no recovery. Remember that declarer ruffed at trick one, so he was out of trumps.
The winning solution was unusual. After the J won, there was a 100% way to make the contract (assuming LHO didn't sneakily duck the offside Q). Declarer is left in this position:
Vul:North-South
Dlr: East |
10
Q764
K10
4
|
|
--
K1098
Q985
|
|
--
A3
J76
Q97
|
| |
--
J52
--
AK1052
|
|
Declarer wants to take another club finesse, but is stuck in hand. Laying down the A (as we've seen) fails if clubs are 4-1. Leading hearts could lead to the loss of 4 hearts tricks, but not if done properly. Leading a low heart to the queen and East's ace costs the loss of 4 heart tricks (East wins the ace and returns a heart). The sure way not to lose 4 heart tricks is, in the diagrammed position, to play a low heart from both hands (the J also will do, but it isn't as obvious). Whatever the opponents do (even if they can take 3 heart tricks), they then have to give you access to a repeat club finesse and 10 tricks. On the actual layout, you'd end up with 11.
