THE
deal comes from ‘Positive Declarer Play’, by Terence Reese and Julian Pottage. Originally published by Gollancz in 1986, a revised and expanded edition has just been published by Master Point Press of Toronto. On the deal shown, the authors begin by saying that not everyone would raise to 2S on the North cards. I assume this was Reese’s (somewhat old-fashioned) view because a raise would be automatic nowadays. How would you play the spade game when West plays ace and another trump, East following twice? The original declarer took two diamond finesses and went down, considering himself unlucky. You can give yourself a better chance by winning the second trump in your hand and cashing the king and queen of clubs before exiting with the heart king. Since West began with only two clubs, he will have to assist you by exiting with a low heart. Dummy’s ten is covered by East’s jack and you ruff in the South hand. You cross to the ace of clubs and take a losing finesse in diamonds. West is end-played. A diamond return will be into your tenace and a heart return will allow dummy’s nine to score. The book contains an excellent selection of problems with a real-life feel about them. East’s 4NT was traditional Blackwood, asking for aces.
What will you say now on these West cards?
Answer Although it does not happen very often, it is worthwhile having an agreement with your partner as to how you will respond to Blackwood when there is intervention over the 4NT bid. One good method is DOPI, which stands for ‘Double = 0, pass = 1.’ In other words, you would double with no aces and pass with 1. The first available bid, 5H here, would then show two aces and so on upwards.
Awards: 5H (DOPI) - 10, no idea what to do (!) - 2.
THE
deal comes from ‘Positive Declarer Play’, by Terence Reese and Julian Pottage. Originally published by Gollancz in 1986, a revised and expanded edition has just been published by Master Point Press of Toronto. On the deal shown, the authors begin by saying that not everyone would raise to 2S on the North cards. I assume this was Reese’s (somewhat old-fashioned) view because a raise would be automatic nowadays. How would you play the spade game when West plays ace and another trump, East following twice? The original declarer took two diamond finesses and went down, considering himself unlucky. You can give yourself a better chance by winning the second trump in your hand and cashing the king and queen of clubs before exiting with the heart king. Since West began with only two clubs, he will have to assist you by exiting with a low heart. Dummy’s ten is covered by East’s jack and you ruff in the South hand. You cross to the ace of clubs and take a losing finesse in diamonds. West is end-played. A diamond return will be into your tenace and a heart return will allow dummy’s nine to score. The book contains an excellent selection of problems with a real-life feel about them. East’s 4NT was traditional Blackwood, asking for aces.
Answer