Thursday, March 22, 2012

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
WE
S
♠ A 10 8 5
8 5 4 3
4
♣ K J 3 2

WestNorthEastSouth
Jenn
Pass
2 ♠DblPass3
PassPassDblAll 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
WE
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!

2 comments:

Memphis MOJO said...

Good job on this hand. Nice meeting you and Bob again.

David said...

Hi, Think you could also lead a Spade and pitch the Diamond, since E is forced to ruff and lead a Heart into the boards tenace, looks like it would work.