Automatic Squeeze.
This hand popped up in the match between Je Vamp and Minty1 in 2nd Division of MCBA’s Online League. Paul Beckwith had this to say after the board: “Shows the downside of CRO overcalls. The line was pretty much marked once West has shown Spades and Clubs.”
Board: 7
Dealer: South
Vul: All
Teams
North
♠ Q105
♥ A9
♦ J753
♣ A732
West East
♠ AK942 ♠ 8763
♥ 8 ♥ J1076432
♦ 106 ♦ 2
♣ Q9864 ♣ 10
South
♠ J
♥ KQ5
♦ AKQ984
♣ KJ5
South West North East
1♦ 2♦(1) 3NT pass
6♦
(1) Spades and Clubs
The bidding might not have been scientific, but when partner has to bid 3NT, the options are to pass or to try for the slam. To do so in a scientific manner warrants a good defence against two suited overcalls.
At the other table, West only got to show her Spade suit before North showed a good raise by bidding 2 spades, East raised the ante to 3 and South bid the diamond game.
At both tables West started with the Spade Ace and switched to the singleton Heart won with the Ace in Dummy.
Barbara Lewis, with lack of the information given by the two suited overcall did not waste too much time or effort in looking for an overtrick, so after pulling the trumps, she cashed two top clubs and after cashing her hearts claimed 11 tricks.
Paul also, after pulling the trumps with the a small to the Ace and a small to the Jack took another round of diamonds with a Diamond to the King. Now he cashed all his Heart winners. He also cashed the Club King leaving:
North
♠ Q
♥ -
♦ 7
♣ A73
West East
♠ A9 ♠ 876
♥ - ♥ J10
♦ - ♦ -
♣ Q98 ♣ 10
South
♠ -
♥ -
♦ Q98
♣ J5
When he now cashed the ♦ Queen West could let go of a Spade. On the ♦ 9 West could discard a Club as did Paul from Dummy. When the last Diamond was played, West had no good card to discard. She decided to discard a Club and the ♠ Queen had now served its purpose and was discarded. A smal club to the ace took care of West's Queen and the ♣ Jack was the 12th trick.
It looks easy, but you have to see it and do it at the table.
Espen Gisvold
PS
If you see a hand you think is worth mentioning please leave me a note at: Espen
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