Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 06/01/2019
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
For the 6th month in a row, our Real Deal comes from the 2018 U.S. Team Trials. South, Vulnerable against not, held:
K103
Q742
AQ3
AJ2.
RHO dealt and opened 3
. As they say, "it is dangerous to bid, but it is dangerous to pass." South overcalled 3NT, raised to 6NT by partner. How should you play after a diamond lead?
A654
A5
K2
KQ975
|
|
K103
Q742
AQ3
AJ2
|
In notrump, I recommend counting top tricks. Here, you can count on 11 (clubs are sure to run). How should you try for the 12th?
One declarer won the
K and played the
5 at trick 2. Do you like that play? The preempter could have the
K, but these days, a white on red preempt doesn't really show anything. It must be better to play on spades. Why?
If spades are 3-3 (or
QJ doubleton), you have 12 tricks that way. Admittedly, a 3-3 break is less likely than the 50-50
K play. But, even if spades aren't 3-3, there is a great second chance. If the player with long spades has the
K, you will fall into your 12th trick.
Here is the Real Deal:
Vul:North-South Dlr: East |
A654
A5
K2
KQ975
|
|
Q872
KJ86
8
10864
|
|
J9
1093
J1097654
3
|
|
K103
Q742
AQ3
AJ2
|
|
As you can see, the declarer who led a low heart at trick 2, went down. West took the
K and there were only 11 tricks. Declarer's team lost 13 IMPs (the other table was in game) instead of winning 13. In a different match (all matches used the same deals), declarer led a spade to the 10 at trick 2. It lost to the queen, and West returned a spade. Declarer won the
K, cashed the clubs and the
A and then took his diamonds. This was the remaining position:
|
A6
5
--
--
|
|
87
K
--
--
|
|
--
109
J
--
|
|
3
Q
Q
--
|
|
On the play of the last diamond, West has to abandon one of the majors. As long as spades were 3-3, or the player with the long spades had the
K (as here), the contract makes. This is a much better shot than putting all the eggs into the
K onside basket.