Duplicate Bridge In Los Alamos: Feb. 12, 2025

Bridge News:

Here is a very interesting hand from the Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC) game Feb. 12.

This is board #5. North is the dealer, and N/S are vulnerable.

North
♠ 632
♥ Q76
♦ J9532
♣ T3
West                        East
♠ Q8 ♠ KJT84
♥ A84 ♥ KT3
♦ KT ♦ Q4
♣ AK9874 ♣ QJ5
    
 South
♠ A75
♥ J952
♦ A876
♣ 62
After 3 passes, West should open the bidding with 1♣. East has a good 1♠ response.
West has a hand good enough to make a 3♣ jump bid, and now East has a decision
to make. The contract belongs in game, but where? East’s choices are to rebid
his/her spades to show at least a 5-card suit, raise partner’s clubs, or gamble on
3NT. Unless East plans on passing, there should be no danger in the partnership
passing below game. Therefore it is reasonable for East to rebid spades, giving
partner a clearer picture of his/her hand. Without at least 3-card spade support,
West is most likely to bid 3NT, which will probably end the auction.
Most Norths will probably lead a small diamond, which is the best possible lead
against a notrump contract. Once declarer gains the lead, either at trick 1 or trick 2,
the most reasonable play is to take 9 tricks and make the contract (1 diamond, 6
clubs and 2 hearts). Declarer might try to “steal” another trick by leading a spade
at trick 2 or 3, but if South is on the ball, he/she will take the ♠A and return a
diamond to partner for down 1.
Interestingly on this hand, if the defense doesn’t lead a diamond at trick 1 against
a notrump contract, declarer is cold for 11 tricks! Also interesting, if E/W decide to
play in a 4♠ game, that contract will also make with an overtrick, regardless of
the lead!
When this hand was played locally, two pairs played 3NT making 3, a 3rd pair
played in 5♣ making 5, and the 4th pair played in 3NT making 5 (they didn’t get a
diamond lead!).
The Los Alamos Duplicate Bridge Club games are held at the Betty Ehart Senior  
Activity Center (BESAC) Wednesdays starting at 12:45 p.m., and at the White Rock Senior
Activity Center (WRSAC) Mondays at 12:45 p.m. Duplicate lessons are given at the BESAC on
an occasional basis 10 a.m. to noon Fridays when BESAC is open. Bridge players are welcome
to participate. If you need a partner, or want to know if lessons are in session, please email
Bobby Haynes at rsh@valornet.com, or Jerry Fleming @ peanutcat@aol.com.
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