Trick One
Most mistakes by declarer are made at trick one. Even if Dummy has a singleton in the suit lead - stop to think and plan the play. This week’s hand shows how declarer can make life harder for the opponents at trick one.
Board: 17
Dealer: North
Vul: None
Matchpoint Pairs
North
♠ J3
♥ 965
♦ AQJ72
♣ A108
West East
♠ KQ852 ♠ 7
♥ AK4 ♥ J1087
♦ 84 ♦ 10653
♣ J65 ♣ Q754
South
♠ A10964
♥ Q32
♦ K9
♣ K92
South West North East
1NT pass
2♥ pass 2♠ pass
3NT All pass
I should maybe have given Janet the chance to decide whether or not to be in game, but an opening hand opposite an opening hand should have some play for a game.
At all but one table, East lead the ♥ Jack against the NT game North/South. At two tables the Jack was covered by the Queen and won by the King. Three more rounds of hearts followed and North had to give away a spade or a club at the end for 8 tricks only.
At two tables a small ♥ was played from Dummy and the Jack was allowed to win the trick. Now East has to switch to a spade to set the contract, but no-one can blame East for continuing ♥. West won with the King and cashed the Ace and switched to a Diamond.
Janet won in Dummy and run all her diamond winners ending with this position:
North
♠ J3
♥ -
♦ -
♣ A108
West East
♠ KQ ♠ -
♥ - ♥ 8
♦ - ♦ -
♣ J65 ♣ Q754
South
♠ A109
♥ -
♦ -
♣ K9
Janet now ran the ♠ Jack won by West, who tried to get off lead with a small club catching the Queen and King. The ♠ Ace killed the King so no need for a club finesse for 9 tricks.
Had East kept one more Spade and a club fewer, the club finesse would be needed after the ♠ Ace.
I guess I can excuse my crime of jumping to game and not inviting to game by my trust in Janet’s declarer play!
Espen Gisvold
PS
If you see a hand you think is worth mentioning please leave me a note at: Espen
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