Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 06/29/2015
Level: Intermediate
This deal was played on-line in preparation for a National Board-a-Match event. In this form of team scoring, a team wins 1 point (the maximum) for doing better than their counterparts on a deal. A "half" is scored for the same result and a "zero" for a worse result. With both sides vulnerable, South deal with:
Q
AJ732
KQJ3
AQ10
He opened 1 which was passed around to RHO who overcalled with 1. South doubled (for takeout, of course)--it is important to fight for the partscore. LHO passed and partner took out to 2. This was doubled by RHO (again for takeout--aren't these low-level doubles useful?). Everyone passed (LHO converting the double for penalties). The K was led and declarer saw:
| |
87542
654
102
765
|
|
| |
|
|
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Q
AJ732
KQJ3
AQ10
|
|
After the K, West continued with the J and declarer trumped. It seems normal to play diamonds. Dummy's 10 goes to East's Ace and the 10 is returned. At least hearts aren't 5-0, but from West's leave-in, they are likely 4-1. This means 3 heart losers along with the spade and diamond tricks lost. Can declarer make the rest?
Let's say you win the A (holding up will only beget unappealing spade plays through you). You start to cash diamonds, throwing a club from dummy on the 3rd round (all following) to leave:
On the final good diamond, LHO follows.
The instinct is to throw a club from dummy. However, this is sure to lead to down one. When you next play A and ruff a club, there is no way off dummy. LHO will get in and draw dummy's remaining trump.
In the diagrammed position, declarer should trump his diamond winner in dummy. Yes. Now a club to the queen (on the bidding, this is a pretty sure thing), the A and a club ruff in dummy. Declarer loses only the 5 top tricks for +670 and a win on the board. This was the Real Deal:
Vul: Both
Dlr: South |
87542
654
102
765
|
|
KJ
KQ98
7654
J84
|
|
A10963
10
A98
K932
|
| |
Q
AJ732
KQJ3
AQ10
|
|
Even though the diamonds were good, declarer had to ruff his own winner to make the contract.
