Jennbridge: Memphis Favorites

Back from the Memphis NABC with several interesting hands to write up.  Here is a favorite from the 1st Qualifying session of the Silver Ribbon Pairs (rotated for convenience).

Silver Ribbon Pairs 1st Q

Board 9 South Deals E-W Vul	♠ 7 4 ♥ A 10 9 7 ♦ A Q 10 6 2 ♣ Q 10
	N W E S
	♠ A 10 8 5 ♥ 8 5 4 3 ♦ 4 ♣ K J 3 2

West	North	East	South
			Jenn
			Pass
2 ♠	Dbl	Pass	3 ♥
Pass	Pass	Dbl	All pass

3 ♥ x by South

I won the K♠ lead and studied the hand.  Surely East had most or all of the missing hearts.  I led a heart from hand, West showed out and I played the 9♥.   East won and returned a club, won on the board, and I continued clubs and put him back in.  This is clearly a see-saw action between myself and East.

He returned a diamond to the king and ace.  I cashed the queen ♦ (pitching a spade) and ruffed a diamond.  I had scored 5 tricks and these cards were left.

♠ 7 
♥ A 10 7
♦  10 6 
♣

♠  10 8 
♥ 8 5  
♦ 
♣ K J

I am getting a count on the hand.  East started with 1 spade, 5 hearts and at least 3 diamonds.  I cashed the K♣ and discarded a spade as both followed. So East also had at least 3 clubs. 

I led my last club, West followed and I ruffed to prevent East from scoring a low trump.  He 
overruffed and returned his last diamond which I ruffed.  The moment of truth was at hand.  
I had 7 tricks and these cards remained:

♠  
♥ A 10 
♦  10  
♣ 

♠  10 8 
♥ 8   
♦ 
♣ 

How can I get two more tricks?  I studied the position.  East was down to ♥K62.

Then I saw it.  Ruff a spade with the ace of hearts and lead the last diamond, ruffing with the 8♥.  Score the 
8♥ en passant for my 9th trick!

Silver Ribbon Pairs 1st Q

Board 9 South Deals E-W Vul	♠ 7 4 ♥ A 10 9 7 ♦ A Q 10 6 2 ♣ Q 10
♠ K Q J 9 3 2 ♥ — ♦ K 9 3 ♣ 7 6 5 4	N W E S	♠ 6 ♥ K Q J 6 2 ♦ J 8 7 5 ♣ A 9 8
	♠ A 10 8 5 ♥ 8 5 4 3 ♦ 4 ♣ K J 3 2

3 ♥ x by South

Made 3 — +530

Plus 530 was worth 24.5 matchpoints out of 25 and helped us score up a strong session.

See you at the table!