Better Bridge in Barry County July 11 2013

Better Bridge in Barry County

By Gerald Stein

 

 

	North ♠  Q 9 4  ♥  J 10 6 5 4 2  ♦  A 3   ♣  9 2
West ♠  K 10 8 3 ♥  Q 9 7 ♦  Q 9 6 4 2   ♣  K		East ♠  A J 5 2 ♥  8 3 ♦  K J 7 5 ♣  7 5 3
	South ♠  7 6 ♥  A K ♦  10 8   ♣  A Q J 10 8 6 4

 

 

Dealer: Vulnerable: Lead:

West Both Pick it

 

North   2♦ 3♥ 6♣	East   Pass Pass Pass	South 2♣ 3♣ 5♣ Pass	West Pass Pass Pass Pass

In another online duplicate bridge event, South was in awe of her hand. She thought, rightly or not, that this particular hand called for a strong 2♣ opening bid. Normally, a 2♣ bid promises huge points in the 22 plus range. The best that South could count was 17 with two worthless doubletons in spades and diamonds. Nine tricks are possible, but three no trump does not look like a favorable place to park a contract.

With ambitious bidding by South, there is always a danger. What is the danger? The lead, of course, from the West hand is the danger in this hand. What did West choose to lead from this hand at a 6♣ small slam contract? West had heard the bidding as had the rest of the table. Leading away from the honors in spades and diamonds did not sound appealing to West. The hearts had been bid by North so leading away from the Q♥ would be a bad choice. West chose the K♣ as her lead. How did it play out for South?

The K♣ was one of the two leads that helped South to make a small slam in clubs. The bidding was risky, but the play of the hand after the K♣ lead was favorable for South. South took the K♣ with the A♣ and surveyed the dummy. The hearts were certainly appealing, but the lack of entries to use them might prove difficult for South. No problem for South as she began her plan for taking not just twelve tricks but all thirteen tricks. What was the play on the second trick?

South led the K♥ at the second trick and saw a heart from each opponent. So far so good for South. She next led the A♥ and while the Q♥ did not fall, East followed with a heart. The hearts had split 3-2 just as South had hoped for. Using the 9♣ as an entry, South led a small club from her hand and drew the second club from East. Once on the board with the high 9♣, South played a high heart, expecting to trump high in her hand. When East trumped with the 7♣, South overtrumped, and poor West had to play the final heart, the Q♥.

With all trump out, the hearts set up on the board, and an entry via the A♦, South was prepared to claim the rest of the tricks. Making a small slam with an overtrick was a top score for the North/South team with 1390 points on their side of the ledger. They received in a competitive duplicate match 15.5 International Master Points. (IMPS), besting 15 other teams who played the same set of cards.

What about other leads on this hand? What happened if another lead is made instead of the K♣? Leading a small spade, say the 3♠, fourth down from your best suit, would have resulted in down one trick for a plus 100 points for the East/West team. Leading a small diamond, say the 4♦, again the fourth one down in your longest suit, would have resulted in down two tricks for a plus 200 for the East/West team. Leading a heart would not been a good lead for West either, as once South is in with the A♥, she can draw the trumps the same way and still has access to the board via the 9♣ and the A♦.

What about those teams that spurned the club suit and went to a 4♥ contract. Unfortunately, for those North/South teams even with all of those hearts, they will go down two tricks making only eight tricks for a plus 200 for the East/West team.

So, the message to take away from this hand is that the lead by the defender can make all of the difference in the success or the failure of the contract. West listened to the bidding, but it did not help and North/South claimed top spot. That means that East/West gave up the most points and earned the lowest score possible: a zero. With the lead, there is always that chance that as a defender that you will help the declarer succeed, or you will appear brilliant by choosing just the right lead and set the contract for a positive score for your team. What a thing that lead is!

 

Gerald Stein

July 3, 2013

Number of words: 981

Bridge News: Some new bridge classes are beginning to be planned for the fall through Kellogg Community Center and the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. Stay tuned for news about “Learn Bridge in a Day,” “Bidding in the 21^st Century,” and “Defense in the 21^st Century.” Dates and times will be available soon.