For the third month in a row, we visit an "invitation-only" top-level online bridge tournament played in 2021. Dealer (both vul at IMPs) held:
Q3
A6532
K1082
AQ.
With 5-4-2-2, I typically open in the major since there is no rebid problem (1, then bid diamonds). However, with honors in all suits, I think it is reasonable to start with 1NT. If you do (as the expert did at one table), partner transfers to 2 and then bids 4. Is that sign-off? Not if you use Texas transfers. If partner wanted to sign off in 4, he would have simply bid 1N-4-4-Pass. So, this auction invites slam. Also, it tends to deny any singletons or voids (responder could transfer to 2 and then jump to 4 of his shortness as a Splinter Bid). Would you move on? You have only 15 HCP, but the controls and trick-taking potential, along with the useful Q are enticing. Let's say you use RKCB and land in 6 with a trump lead:
AKJ7652
Q10
73
K8
|
| |
Q3
A6532
K1082
AQ
|
This is disappointing. The duplication in clubs (wasted Q) means that you face a heart loser and at least one diamond loser. Ironically, the 5-card heart suit would have been better off as only a 4-card suit with the extra little card being in clubs ( Qx Axxx K108x AQx). Then you could throw a heart from dummy on a club and rely on the 50-50 A onside. Anyway, is there any reasonable chance here? Yes, a singleton heart honor might be useful, but there is something better.
Let's assume the A is onside (we'll need that for sure). If the player with the A also has the K, we could be in business. Specifically, if that person has length in diamonds (4 or more), we have great chances.
It is hard to see, but the gist of it is that we plan to squeeze East in the red suits. In fact, this was the Real Deal.
Vul:Both
Dlr: South |
AKJ7652
Q10
73
K8
|
|
10984
J8
Q4
107632
|
|
--
K974
AJ965
J954
|
| |
Q3
A6532
K1082
AQ
|
|
Declarer won the spade in dummy (the 4-0 break was actually a good thing--this increased the likelihood of East having long diamonds). A diamond went to the king and declarer gave up a diamond. There is nothing the defense can do. Declarer can win any return, trump a diamond in dummy and run winners. Eventually, he will play the last trump in this position:
| |
5
Q10
--
--
|
|
--
J8
--
10
|
|
--
K9
A
--
|
| |
--
A6
8
|
|
If East throws a diamond, South takes the last 2 tricks with the A and a diamond. If East throws a heart, declarer discards his diamond and takes the A and Q.
Note: If East had both the K and J, West could win the second round of diamonds and play a heart to break up the squeeze. On the actual layout, declarer couldn't be prevented from scoring 1430, a lucky (but skillful) result.
