Second hand low

I scored a rare win playing last week in a Wanderers friendly with Martin Bateman. We got a few things right, including a somewhat fortunate 6NT, but the hand that we discussed most was this one below.

I'm East (dkham). Once partner is a passed hand I've a bit of leeway and tried making a weak 3♦ overcall, with a hand that is a bit too strong with too few Diamonds. Straight after I regretted both not bidding 2♦ and not bidding 4♦, which probably means 3♦ was about right. My partner, who is much craftier than me, delayed giving support until the five level, which had the effect of pushing them to an impossible contract. So far, so good.

Against 5♠ partner lead a Diamond, ruffed in dummy. Declarer (Ted) immediately lead a Club from dummy. Partner won his Ace, but was not to know that I had a singleton. He played another Diamond for dummy to ruff. Declarer won and lead the ♠J from dummy. It was crunch time. Should I cover with my King? At the time I thought that either (a) it didn't matter or (b) partner had ♠Txx in which case covering saves a trick. I didn't consider (c) partner had ♠QT.

You can see that I did cover, which reduced our trump tricks to one, and let the contract through. Apart from just finding the ♠J play, Ted also did well to duck my ♠K, as if he lets it run round to West's ♠Q he might still return a Club for me to ruff.

I can't see any legitimate layout where declarer can make it (unless trumps are 4-1 but then I think you're probably down anyway), so well done to declarer!

Despite this missed opportunity we won the first half of the match 42-20, and lost the second half 27-32 for a narrow win overall.

Connections Cup #2

Phil Moon and I were back at the Buchanan for an online game yesterday.

We made a promising start, when Phil made an excellent 4♥ overcall, causing them to miss their Diamond slam. Unfortunately the same thing happened at the other table so it was flat.

In fact, over 16 boards there was only one game swing. And it was against us, caused by my dubious bidding:

Phil opened 1♥ and it was over to me. We play four card majors and weak NT. We've not discussed what suit to open with a four card minor and a four card major, but I do know that Phil either has five Hearts or 15+ points.

I made the unusual response of 2♥. As it happens, my wife was walking past at that time and after my bid I asked what she would have done. "1NT" she said straight away. I wish I had. 2♥ could have worked well, if for example we end up playing 2♥ instead of 1NT. I've a singleton Spade and partner is likely short of Spades. If Phil does bid on, it's very likely he has five Hearts.

As it is, Phil has a balanced 19 count with only four Hearts (and four good Spades). At least his Hearts are good, and 4♥ has some play.

On the ♣Q lead Phil let it run round to his ♣A, leaving the finesse for later. He now has plenty of tricks, the only problem is trump losers. Phil found a good line of ducking a Heart, leading small from hand. Unfortunately the defence pounced on this, and found a way to beat the contract. South won the ♥Q and lead a Diamond through, North won ♦AQ then a fourth Diamond puts declarer in big trouble. He's already lost three tricks so ruffs high with the ♥K and can no longer make it.

The other table had a more usual auction to 3NT. This has eight top tricks, and chances for a ninth (and tenth) in Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds. When it made exactly that was 10 IMPs away.

In the end we lost 19-24.

Textbook

I sometimes look at bridge problems in a magazine or newspaper. You can normally work out what the point of the problem is, and solve it. In real life it's much harder, as you're not sure if there even is a neat solution.

Last week though, in a friendly match on Bridge Base, I actually had one of these textbook hands come up. There was one and only chance to make it, which I had to play for:

Anna had the East hand and opened. A bit light, but with good Clubs. I was East and was also a bit light when I raised to game, but was hoping to find six Clubs in dummy. Against 3NT North lead a low Diamond.

We've only 23 points, but it's got play. I've got five Club tricks (assuming they split), one Heart, one Diamond, so need two Spades. The thing to do then is to lead up to the ♠T, and if it's onside I'll get my two spades. I recognise this, and after winning the first Diamond lead a Spade up to the ♠Q, which holds.

I now simply have to complete my plan and lead a Spade back to the ♠T, which as you can see will work. But I start to wonder if I need to do that straight away, and maybe there's the chance of a Diamond trick too. I try playing a Diamond, which is catastrophic. South wins his ♦K and accurately switches to a Heart. Now I have to lose one Heart, one Spade, and three Diamonds.

One off, when it was there for the taking.