I’m sleep deprived, and so I apologize if this column sounds like the ramblings of a madman. I am now the proud parent of a baby girl.

I’ve never had more sympathy for my students.

My wife and I had so many good plans about how we were going to handle the first few months. As soon as baby girl arrived, those plans went out the window and it became a fight for survival.

I’ve seen this before in students who try to make a plan as declarer, but wind up losing the plot once the first road bump arrives. See how well you do on this deal which might throw a dirty diaper or two at your plans.

You are South. None vul, matchpoints. 

 A743  
 53  
 Q103  
 AQ53

The auction goes: 

West	North	East	South
2	Dbl	3	?

 

 

What will you do? You should bid 4. 3 would show some values, but we belong in game when partner has enough to make a takeout double. Best to just bid it. 4 ends the auction. 

West leads the A. 

 

Vul:None Dlr: S	DUMMY  KQJ10  92  KJ95  K72
Lead:   A
	Declarer  A743    53    Q103    AQ53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a plan as you see the dummy. West plays the ace, then K of hearts, and the 8 on the third round (East echoes with the 8, and 4 of hearts). 

4-4 fits are always a challenge. We can count losers from either hand. In this case, we can count our two heart losers from either hand (and they are gone). We have to lose a diamond. We have no club losers from North's perspective, but we might have a club loser in declarer's hand. That means that North is the "master" hand since it has fewer losers. 

This deal feels simple: we're going to draw trumps and knock out the A.  

Everyone follows to the first spade, but on the second trump, West shows out. If you don't notice, you'll be in trouble. Too many players are afraid to change plans. If you continue to draw trumps before playing diamonds, you'll be very sad to find the opponents playing all of their hearts. 

You should not be afraid of the opponents ruffing a diamond; West can't have it for practical purposes (they would have opened 1). Once East wins the diamond, you can win the return and draw trump. This is a small tweak to the plan, but it's one new players often overlook,

 

Vul:None Dlr: S	KQJ10  92  KJ95  K72
2  AKQ1076  64  10864		9865  J84  A87  J9
	A743    53    Q103    AQ53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes on the defense/auction. West's 2 call is reasonable. Some would bid 3 with the extra shape or 1 with so much firepower. Play it out after drawing trumps if you don't see the danger.