IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

 

Bidding hands of 1NT opening strength containing a five-card major cause problems for many partnerships.  This hand demonstrates a way to show the extra strength.

 

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-30

Dlr

W

Vul

Both

S

AQ952

H

KQ82

D

Q9

C

A2

S

 K86

H

 A93

D

 10854

C

 1093

http://northerncoloradobridge.com/images/pad.bmp

S

 J73

H

 765

D

 A62

C

 Q754

 

S

104

H

J104

D

KJ73

C 

KJ86

West

 North

East

South

  Pass  

 1S

Pass

1NT*

  Pass

 2H

Pass

2S

   Pass

    2NT

   Pass

   3NT

   Pass

    Pass

   Pass

   

  

 

 

  

    *forcing

   

  

  

 

 

 

 

   

       

   

 

Bidding:  After South took a simple preference to 2S, North pushed on with 2NT.  This showed a semi-balanced hand with 16-17 high card points and South continued on to game.

 

Play:  West led the 10 of clubs and declarer won the queen with the king.  Next, declarer led the jack of hearts.  West won the second round to switch to a low diamond.  Declarer could do no wrong as the cards were favorably placed.  He ended up winning ten tricks: 2 spades, 3 hearts, 2 diamonds, and 3 clubs. 

 

Why is this seemingly routine hand of interest?  Several N/S pairs failed to reach game.  The South players weren’t sure how to continue after North’s 2S bid.  This should be a topic with your regular partners.

 

 

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny