THE GREEDY OVERTRICK (III) by Stephen Rzewski matchpoints vul: none North ♠ Q109652 ♥ A82 ♦ 84 ♣ A2 South ♠ AK743 ♥ 6 ♦ A9653 ♣ 54 bidding: S W N E 1♠ 4♥ 4♠ (all pass) opening lead: ♥K Today's deal, from a local club game, once again illustrates our repeated theme: the contract appears to be normal and will make easily, with just two apparent losers. Not one to settle for a tired average of +450, can you delve more deeply and find the path to +480, earning yourself a top in the process? Trumps are 2-0, with West being void. Plan the play. **************************** The complete deal: ♠ Q109652 ♥ A82 ♦ 84 ♣ A2 ♠ ----- ♠ J8 ♥ KQJ10973 ♥ 54 ♦ J7 ♦ KQ102 ♣ KQ108 ♣ J9863 ♠ AK743 ♥ 6 ♦ A9653 ♣ 54 For some reason, even many experienced players seem to have a blind spot when it comes to the possibility of setting up a long-suit winner. Having escaped a club lead, you have the opportunity to establish your 5th diamond for a club discard from dummy, as long as the diamonds split no worse than 4-2. Win the ace of hearts, draw two rounds of trumps, leaving one high trump in your hand, then duck a diamond. If a heart is returned, ruff in your hand, play the ace and another diamond, ruffing in dummy. When West shows out, ruff dummy's last heart to get back to your hand for a 4th diamond play, again ruffing in dummy, and establishing the long diamond in your hand. Now lead a trump to your ace, play your last diamond and discard dummy's small club, scoring up 12 tricks.
Bridge Column
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Bridge Column
A CHALLENGING ROUND by Stephen Rzewski On the last round of a pairs event at a Cape Cod tournament, I pick up on the first of two boards:…
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Bridge Column
To Duck or Not to Duck... by Stephen Rzewski Playing in a Regional Swiss teams event against strong competition, IMPs scoring, I pick up the…
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SECOND CHANCE On the first hand of a local Sectional pairs event, I pick up as dealer, with neither vul: ♠ AKQ953 ♥ 104 ♦ 76…
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