frs1016@centurylink.net
Today’s deal appeared in the excellent Daily Bulletin at the ACBL Fall Championships. In a pairs event, North-South bid and raised spades. Then East came in with a “pre-balancing” double, and West took out to three clubs. North pushed on to three spades, passed out.
| Dlr: North | ♠ 10 9 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vul: None | ♥ Q 10 6 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ 10 8 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ A K 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 8 6 5 | ♠ 4 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♥ 9 8 | ♥ A 7 5 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ K J 5 | ♦ A Q 6 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♣ Q 10 5 4 3 | ♣ J 7 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♠ A K Q J 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♥ K J 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♦ 9 7 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ 8 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♥9
West led the ♥9, and East slipped by winning and returning a heart, hoping his partner would ruff. South drew trumps and threw a diamond on dummy’s fourth heart, making four for plus 170 — a top score.
Hindsight
East thought he might have opened 1♦ — much easier in hindsight. He also thought North should have doubled 3♣ to show a good defensive hand, inviting South to play for a penalty. East observed that North-South would be plus 300 against 3♣ doubled.
I doubt that. North-South would win six tricks on defense only if North led a heart — not exactly clear. Even then, if West took the ace and led a spade, South would have to win and lead a trump, ducked (!) by North.
Daily Question
You hold: ♠4 3 ♥A 7 5 3 ♦A Q 6 2 ♣J 7 6.
Your partner opens 1♠, you respond 2♦, he rebids 2♠ and you try 2NT. Partner then bids 3♦. What do you say?