The late Charlie Wiley, one of our town’s all-time great bridge players, said, “When we are blessed with a great hand, it is paramount to do it justice.” This month’s deal is such a hand.
« The bidding:
S
2 ♣
2 ♠
3 ♥
5 ♠*
Pass
*Anything at all, bid 6.
Both: Vul
W
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
N
2 H (Neg)
3 D
3 S
6 S
E
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
« Opening lead: K♦
« Cover the East/West hands and see if you can make the contract.
NORTH
♠ Q 10
♥ 9 7
♦ 9 7 6 5 4 3 2
♣ J 4
WEST
♠ 5 2
♥ Q J 8 5 4
♦ K Q J
♣ 10 8 6
EAST
♠ J 64
♥ 106
♦ 108
♣ Q 9 7 5 3 2
SOUTH
♠ A K 9 8 7 3
♥ A K 3 2
♦ A
♣ AK
[the play]
1. Aggressive bidding has landed North/South in a good six ♠ contract.
2. East led the ♦ King, dummy the 2, East the 10, and declarer the Ace.
3. South counted 11 winners.
4. South then counted losers, possibly one. By ruffing a ♥ in the dummy, declarer can make 12 tricks.
5. South played the ♥ Ace and King.
6. The ♥ 3 is led, and declarer wisely trumped with the ♠ Queen!
7. ♣ 4 to the Ace.
8. The ♥ 2 is trumped with the ♠ 10.
9. East over-trumped with the Jack, but declarer had the 12th trick.
Comment: Please note if declarer had carelessly trumped the ♥ 3 with the ♠ 10, East would have over-ruffed with the Jack and then led a trump. Declarer would have gone set with an additional ♥ loser
