LEARNING CENTER

This deal was played by Chris Willenken in the 2019 Southeastern Regional Knockout Teams. He used a Texas Transfer, but ended up being declarer, and did quite a great job of it! With both sides vulnerable, he held:

 K109864  
 863  
 8  
 1043
 

His partner opened 2NT, and I agree with Chris's decision to insist on game (the good 6-card suit combined with being Vulnerable at IMPs makes it the educated guess). He transfered (Texas-style with 4), but wound up declaring. How is that? LHO doubled (lead-directing), passed back to him. He now bid 4 and played it there with the 7 lead:

A2  KQ  AQ52  A9865

K109864  863  8  1043

He won the A and played the K. LHO won the A and returned a heart, RHO playing hi-lo. From the LDD and play, it looked like hearts were 6-2, so he decided he wouldn't be able to trump his losing heart in dummy. Furthermore, even if he wanted to trump a heart in dummy, the only way to reach his hand was to play A, diam,ond ruff--and that would give up the ability to finesse the Q.

He laid down the A--low, low, queen. He followed restricted choice and led a spade to his 10, LHO throwing a heart. Next came a winning diamond finesse, followed by the A to throw a losing club. Then came a diamond ruff to leave this unusual position:

Vul:Both Dlr: North	-- -- 5 9865
-- J975 K --		J7 -- -- KQJ
	K98  8 --  10

Declarer has to lose a heart and club, but a trump trick? He exited with a losing heart (a club would also work). LHO had to win and play a red suit. Declarer ruffed and then exited with his losing club to take the last 2 tricks. Brilliant!

This was the Real Deal:

Vul:Both Dlr: North	A2  KQ  AQ52  A9865
Q  AJ9754  K10943  7		J753  102 J76 KQJ2
	K109864  863  8  1043

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