Mark Horton
Imprecision
I am in the Netherlands competing in one of their many excellent invitation events. My partner (who will go on to win a world title) originates from China. During the qualifying rounds I pick up the following as dealer (I am South and East–West are vulnerable):
♠ A 6
♥ Q 5
♦ A K 10 8 2
♣ 7 4 3 2
We are playing Precision, which means I must choose between a 13–15 1NT and a nebulous 1♦. I have never considered 5–4–2–2 to be a notrump distribution, and although here it has some minor preemptive value against a possible major-suit overcall, I reject it in favor of 1♦. When West makes no contribution, partner responds 1♥, but East comes in with an overcall of 3♠. I have nothing to say, but partner continues with 4♦. Because my opening bid did not promise any diamonds at all, partner must have good support for that suit and I take it to be game forcing. My hand looks quite promising so I show my control in the enemy suit by bidding 4♠. Now partner asks for aces, and as we include the king of trumps in our responses, I bid 5♠ to show three. When partner signs off in 6♦ we are left with this auction.
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♦(1) | |||
| Pass | 1♥ | 3♠ | Pass |
| Pass | 4♦ | Pass | 4♠ |
| Pass | 4NT (2) | Pass | 5♣ (3) |
| Pass | 6♦ | All Pass |
(1) Precision: 11–15 HCP, could be very short.
(2) Roman Key Card Blackwood.
(3) 0 or 3 key cards.
West leads the ♠8 and partner puts down a fine hand:
♠ 5
♥ A K 10 7 4
♦ Q J 7 3
♣ A Q 5
♠ A 6
♥ Q 5
♦ A K 10 8 2
♣ 7 4 3 2
He might have tried for a grand slam by bidding 6♣, but playing me for perfect cards is rarely profitable.
I can ruff a spade in dummy to bring my total up to 11 so prospects are excellent. I win the opening lead in hand, ruff a spade and cash the ♦Q. Both opponents follow and a trump to my king collects the outstanding cards in the suit, so I continue with the ♥Q and a heart to the king. I was expecting to be able to show my cards, but things take a turn for the worse when East discards a spade. I discard a club on the ♥A and ruff a heart. The club finesse may be right, but if I can duck a club to East he will be endplayed. I play the ♣2, intending to play the 5 if West follows with the 6, but my hopes are dashed for a second time when West produces the 9. To guard against being on the wrong end of a brilliancy (West playing the 9 from ♣9 8 6) I go through with my plan, playing dummy’s 5, but East follows with the 8 leaving West on lead. When the club finesse proves to be wrong I am one down.
The full deal:
| Dlr: South | ♠ 5 | |
| Vul: E-W | ♥ A K 10 7 4 | |
| ♦ Q J 7 3 | ||
| ♣ A Q 5 | ||
| ♠ 9 8 3 | ♠ K Q J 10 7 4 2 | |
| ♥ J 9 8 3 2 | ♥ 6 | |
| ♦ 6 4 | ♦ 9 5 | |
| ♣ J 9 6 | ♣ K 10 8 | |
| ♠ A 6 | ||
| ♥ Q 5 | ||
| ♦ A K 10 8 2 | ||
| ♣ 7 4 3 2 |
Post Mortem
I missed a simple safety play in the heart suit. Finessing the 10 on the second round ensures four tricks in the suit even if East wins with a doubleton jack.