|
|
The clue lies in the bidding
| Dealer West, Love all |
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| Pass |
Pass |
1H |
1S |
| 2H |
3H |
4H |
4S |
| Pass |
Pass |
Double |
End |
NORTH’S
3H showed a sound raise to 3S at least. 4H would surely have gone down
but South chanced his luck in 4S. See if you can spot why his line of
play was wrong as he tumbled to defeat. West led the seven of hearts, to
the nine, jack and ace. Declarer played a trump to the 10 and king, East
switching to the king of clubs.  Declarer ducked the first round of
clubs, won the second, and ruffed a club. When he then played a second
round of trumps, East rose with the ace and exited with a trump.
Declarer had lost three
tricks already and had to bring in the diamonds without loss. He chose
to play the suit from the top and had to concede a trick to West’s
queen. One down! What did you make of that? The clue to the right play
in diamonds lies in the bidding. West had summoned a raise to 2H on an
extremely weak hand, as it was. In the early play his partner had shown
up with the A-K of spades, the K-J of hearts, and at least the K-Q of
clubs. Would West have raised to 2H on a near yarborough? It was
unlikely. Surely he was marked with the queen of diamonds and declarer
should therefore have finessed, making his doubled game.
— David Bird
|
