When playing at the local dup, your score can depend on the skill level of your opponents. My partner and I were unlucky to be playing a hand against two of St. Louis’ best, Jack Bryant and Milton Zlatic. Not only did they bid well to get to a good slam, but Milt also used two different technique protocols to bring home the contract. See if you can do as well as him with this month’s hand.
vul: Both
dealer: South
» the bidding
S: 1 ♥
W: Pass
N: 2 ♦
E: Pass
S: 3 ♥
W: Pass
N: 4 NT
E: Pass
S: 5 ♥(2)
W: Pass
N: 6 ♥
E: Pass
S: Pass
W: Pass
opening lead: ♦ King
North:
♠ 10 9 7 3
♥ K Q 8
♦ A 8 4 2
♣ A 3
East:
♠ 6 5 4
♥ 3 2
♦ J 7 6
♣ 9 7 6 5 4
South:
♠ A Q 2
♥ A J 10 9 6 5 4
♦ 10
♣ K 8
West:
♠ K J 8
♥ 7
♦ K Q 9 5 3
♣ Q J 10 2
the play
1. West led the ♦ King, Ace from Dummy, East the 6 and Declarer the 10.
2. Declarer made the expert play of trumping the ♦ 2 with his ♥ Ace.
3. The ♥ 4 was led to Dummy’s King.
4. The ♦ 4 was ruffed with the ♥ Jack.
5. The ♥ 5 was led to Dummy’s Queen (drawing all the trumps).
6. Dummy’s ♦ 8 was trumped in hand with the ♥ 10.
7. The ♣ King and ♣ Ace were cashed.
8. With ♦s and ♣s eliminated, Declarer led the ♠ 10 and ducked to West’s Jack.
9. West now had Hobson’s Choice—a ♠ from the King would give Declarer 12 tricks or a ♦ or ♣ gives Declarer a ruff/sluff and 12 tricks.
note: Milt used a Dummy reversal and an elimination play (end-play) to make six ♥s. Well done!
tip of the day
What is an elimination play?
It’s when Declarer ‘eliminates’ the side suits of a particular hand to facilitate an end-play. (Refer to this month’s hand.)
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