This deal is from the Round of 16 of the 2009 Washington D.C. Spingold.
My partner, David Berkowitz held this hand in 4th seat at favorable vulnerability:
A 9
9 4 2
A 10 8 6 2
A Q 7
After three passes, what should he open?
I believe this hand is easily worth a 15-17 1NT. Sure, there are only 14 HCP, but the hand evaluates to more like 16. The 5-card suit is worth a point, and three aces (one in combination with a queen) surely are worth more than the 4 points that we typically assign. After 1NT, a Stayman auction lands you in 3NT on this layout:
K J 7 5
K 10 3
Q J 7 3
5 4
|
| |
A 9
9 4 2
A 10 8 6 2
A Q 7
|
The opening lead was the 6, standard. RHO plays the J. What is your plan?
I know I can be tricky, but no, this is not one of those deals where trick one is a trap. You should not play low, and should not make the fancy falsecard of the A. Win the Q and then what?
This is IMPs, so your main goal is 9 tricks. If the K is right, you have 9 sure tricks. That means, your first thought should be: "How can I make this if the K is wrong?"
If the K is with the opening leader, you will have only 8 sure tricks (2, 4, and 2), You will have a chance for a 9th trick if either the HA or SQ is with West.But, to take that early diamond finesse, you need to get to dummy. If you play a spade to the king right away, you will never be able to take the spade finesse later. Alternatively, if you play A, and finesse at once, and it loses, you are in terrible shape.
David found a neat solution. He got "two for the price of one." At trick two, he lead a heart!
If this lost to the ace, he could always try for the K onside later. But, meanwhile, look what happened:
Vul: E-W
Dir: West |
K J 7 5
K 10 3
Q J 7 3
5 4
|
|
8
A 7 6 5
K 5 4
K 10 8 6 3
|
|
Q 10 6 4 3 2
Q J 8
9
J 9 2
|
| |
A 9
9 4 2
A 10 8 6 2
A Q 7
|
|
This was the full deal.
West, a National champion, did not see the urgency to rise with the A. This could easily have blown the hand. He didn't know who had the 9 (that clubs could be cleared). He didn't know declarer had long diamonds. When he played low, declarer put up the K.
Game over. Now the diamond finesse lost, but declarer had 9 tricks.
Even if East had won the A, he would have returned a club, and declarer would have the diamond finesse in reserve to try for his contract.
Yes, maybe West should have found the right defense, but the thoughtful heart play at trick two earned the swing (the other table failed in 3NT).
