Jennbridge: It's About the Play

A well-bid hand is pleasing, but a well-executed play is divine.  Here are a couple of hands from the Santa Clara regional which presented interesting play opportunities.

1.  I found myself playing 3NT with the North hand after a strong auction.

Friday Open Pairs, Afternoon Session 1 of 2

Board 16 West Deals E-W Vul	♠ 9 5 ♥ — ♦ Q 9 8 5 2 ♣ A Q J 10 7 4
♠ 10 6 4 ♥ 10 9 7 3 2 ♦ A 10 3 ♣ 9 5	N W E S	♠ J 8 7 3 ♥ A Q 5 ♦ J 7 6 ♣ 8 6 3
	♠ A K Q 2 ♥ K J 8 6 4 ♦ K 4 ♣ K 2

NS 4N; NS 4♠; N 5♦; NS 5♣; NS 3♥; S 4♦; Par +430

Partner opened 1♥ in 4th seat and I responded with a forcing notrump.  He then bid 2♠, a reverse, showing a strong hand, and I jumped to 3NT.  The opponents' fate was sealed at trick two.

East led a diamond.  I played the king and West won the ace and returned the 10 which I won.  The play of the diamond 10 had the effect of transferring the diamond guard to the East hand--which turned out to be a problem for the defenders as the East hand also had to guard hearts and spades!

On the run of the clubs East couldn't guard all 3 suits, so eventually discarded spades in order to hold on to the diamond jack and the heart ace.  Plus 460 was worth 20 out of 25 matchpoints.

A triple squeeze will keep you coming back!

2.  I was optimistic about this contract of 6 hearts, but was a little worried about the lead of the 9 of diamonds.  (Beware the curse of the 9 of diamonds!)

♠	—
♥	Q 9 8 4 3
♦	A K 5 4
♣	A Q 8 5

♠	A K
♥	A K 10 2
♦	Q 8 7 3
♣	7 4 3

After drawing trumps in 3 rounds (LHO had 3) it was time to see what was going on in the diamond suit.  Sure enough, LHO showed out on the diamond king so I had a diamond loser.

I could pitch two clubs on the spade ace and king and take the club finesse, but is there a better play?
********************

Yes, indeed, there is.  Go ahead and cash the ace, king of spades, pitching the clubs, but then exit with your diamond.  RHO is forced to win and either lead into the club tenace or give up a ruff/sluff!

All Western Open Pairs, Afternoon Session 1 of 4

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

EW 6N; EW 6♥; EW 6♦; EW 6♣; NS 1♠; Par −990

In practice, RHO (North), thrown in with the diamond, gave up the ruff/sluff and I scored up 980. A strip and endplay will add luster to your session!

I hated to ask:  was the club finesse on?  Darn--it was--which meant that everyone who got to the slam would make it.  And in fact, our score was only 22.5 out of 38.  Oh well--those of us who played it correctly may well get our reward in Bridge Heaven.

See you at the table!