This Deal was played in the Zeke Jabbour-Play with the Stars charity event earlier this year. I had the honor of writing the deal analysis (which appears online as part of the "Common Game" series) for the event. With neither side vulnerable, South holds: A1093
J93
K2
KQ64.

After partner opens 1, and RHO passes, he responds 1.

Now, LHO jumps to 2NT. What's that? Presumably unusual for the 2 unbid suits (hearts and diamonds).

Opener passes and RHO chooses hearts, bidding 3. And now? You don't want to repeat the spades, and raising clubs would get you past 3NT. That leaves double. This isn't pure penalty. It just shows extra values/cards. Rarely are doubles below game in competitive auctions for penalty. Partner takes out your double to 3. Let's say you raise to the spade game and everyone passes. The A is led and you see:

 

K752 K2 Q5 A9872

A1093 J93 K2 KQ62

Thankfully, partner has 4-card spade support. After laying down the A and getting a discouraging signal, West tries the A, getting another discouraging card. He then plays a heart to knock out dummy's K. Over to you.

 

 

You should draw trumps and start with dummy's king. Why? Because if they are 4-1, you expect RHO to have the length. Not only might he have QJxx, making this a smart move, but he might have Qxxx or Jxxx and this will let you pick up the entire suit for no losers after LHO produces a singleton honor. On the K, though, everyone plays low. You continue spades, and RHO inserts the J.

 

 

Probably you could duck this, but it really doesn't hurt to win the ace and continue with the 10. Even if they are 4-1, you are in decent control. Let's say you do win the ace and LHO follows. Great--spades were 3-2. Now what? 

 

This is time for an important play. If clubs are anything but 4-0, you will soon be claiming (losing only the high spade). But, there is a good chance clubs are 4-0. LHO indicated the red suits and already showed up with 2 spades. You should start clubs by leading a low one from your hand. If everyone follows, you are fine. But, in fact, LHO shows out! You now win the A in dummy and play more clubs. RHO splits (from J10xx) and you win and ruff your last heart in dummy. Then you play another club towards hand, and lose no club tricks.

 

This was the Real Deal:

 

Vul: None Dlr: North	K752 K2 Q5 A9872
84 AQ874 A98743		QJ6 1065 J106 J1053
	A1093 J93 K2 KQ64

You always had to lose the 2 red aces and a trump trick. By playing carefully in clubs you make your contract for an 83% board.

 

Courtesy of Jay Whipple and the wonderful District 9 support staff, you can see tons of information when the deals are part of the Common Game. 

 

For this event, the link is here.  You can read my analysis of every deal and see the results!

 

The deal shown here was Board 24 (rotated for convenience).