Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 01/01/2022
Level: Intermediate
This deal was "midsfended" online. East, a many-time national champion held:
K762
QJ
J4
AKQJ4
What would you open as dealer, both vulnerable? There are pros and cons to both 1NT and 1. Surely if the major were in hearts (2=4=2=5 shape), I would advocate for 1NT (to avoid a potential reverse after 1-1). When the 4-card major is spades, opening 1 isn't too bad, because opener has a convenient rebid in spades. Opening 1NT does convey the HCP range and the somewhat balanced nature of the hand. Also, there are some honors in the short suits, so let's go with 1NT which is what our expert player opened.
This was met with a penalty double, passed back to opener. She ran to 2. LHO now bid 2, raised to 3. Opener accepted the invitation and bid 4. The 6 was led:
| |
1053
10543
KQ32
72
|
|
|
|
K762
QJ
J4
AKQJ4
|
| |
|
East took 2 top clubs (declarer following with the 5 and 9), West playing the 3 on the second round. East-West were using "3rd/5th leads" against suits. That meant that West started with either 63 doubleton, or 10863. Now what?
This was the Real Deal:
Vul:Both
Dlr: East |
1053
10543
KQ32
72
|
|
Q98
62
10986
10863
|
|
K762
QJ
J4
AKQJ4
|
| |
AJ4
AK987
A75
95
|
|
East shifted to a spade. Declarer played low and West won the Q. Later, declarer finessed against the K and made the contract. What should East have played at trick 3? Not that dangerous spade. Passivity was called for. Declarer surely had all the missing keycards (the aces and K). There was no reason to attack spades. Another club (risking a ruff-and-sluff) couldn't possibly be right (even if West started with a doubleton, what good would a club play be?). East should exit with a trump. Declarer then has to lose two spade tricks.
Leading from a king, queen or jack when the dummy on your right has the 10 is dangerous. East's excuse? She was in Europe and it was 4 A.M. local tie.
**note: Even with a passive shift, declarer still could find a way home with a squeeze against West.
