Posted 9:35 PM by Floyd

Here are two interesting hands from last Tuesday's STAC.

E/W Vul Matchpoints Dealer: East	— 8 7 4 Q T 8 6 K Q T 6 5 4	Lead:8
Floyd A K J T 7 6 4 Q J 7 4 3 J		Sherry Q 9 8 2 K 2 A K 9 5 8 7 2
	5 3 A T 9 6 5 3 J 2 A 9 3	Result: Making 5 Score: +650

West   1 4		North   2 Pass		East 1 2 Pass		South 1 3 Pass

Defensive carding is a key part of the game. However no matter what your methods, you never play a card that could blow a trick (unless the alternative blows more tricks!). South forgot that rule on this hand.

I was West and was declaring 4. North led a high heart, and I ducked in dummy. RHO won the ace and cashed A. Her partner encouraged with the T, so she continued clubs. But which club? It is normal to lead back high from doubleton spot cards; South therefore continued with the 9.

This was not a good idea.

I ruffed high, pulled trumps, cashed K and started running trumps. In the four-card ending I had three small diamonds and the last trump, which I played. North had three diamonds to the queen and the only club higher than dummy's eight. Dummy had AK9 and 8. North had the only guard in either minor, so whatever she pitched, I would pitch the other minor and take the rest. Making 5 was an excellent score.

If South returns the 3 at trick three, her partner can pitch all her high clubs and guard diamonds.

Second hand later today.