This deal was played by Chris Willenken in the 2019 Southeastern Regional Knockout Teams. He used a Texas Transfer, but ended up being declarer, and did quite a great job of it! With both sides vulnerable, he held:
K109864
863
8
1043
His partner opened 2NT, and I agree with Chris's decision to insist on game (the good 6-card suit combined with being Vulnerable at IMPs makes it the educated guess). He transfered (Texas-style with 4), but wound up declaring. How is that? LHO doubled (lead-directing), passed back to him. He now bid 4 and played it there with the 7 lead:
A2 KQ AQ52 A9865 |
K109864 863 8 1043 |
He won the A and played the K. LHO won the A and returned a heart, RHO playing hi-lo. From the LDD and play, it looked like hearts were 6-2, so he decided he wouldn't be able to trump his losing heart in dummy. Furthermore, even if he wanted to trump a heart in dummy, the only way to reach his hand was to play A, diam,ond ruff--and that would give up the ability to finesse the Q.
He laid down the A--low, low, queen. He followed restricted choice and led a spade to his 10, LHO throwing a heart. Next came a winning diamond finesse, followed by the A to throw a losing club. Then came a diamond ruff to leave this unusual position:
Vul:Both Dlr: North | -- -- 5 9865 | |
-- J975 K -- | J7 -- -- KQJ | |
K98 8 -- 10 |
Declarer has to lose a heart and club, but a trump trick? He exited with a losing heart (a club would also work). LHO had to win and play a red suit. Declarer ruffed and then exited with his losing club to take the last 2 tricks. Brilliant!
This was the Real Deal:
Vul:Both Dlr: North | A2 KQ AQ52 A9865 | |
Q AJ9754 K10943 7 | J753 102 J76 KQJ2 | |
K109864 863 8 1043 |