Saturday, September 1, 2012

Sevens and sixes are crucial

In a strong club game, no one vulnerable, I pick up:
E
Me
♠
7
♥
QJ106
♦
108
♣
AJ8543
North is dealer and he opens. The auction goes:
W
West
N
North
E
Me
S
South
—
1♣
1♥1
1♠
2♥
4♠
All Pass
(1) wise move?

Was that four-card overcall wise?  Did I really want a heart lead from partner?

Partner leads the Ace of hearts (promising the king):
N
North
♠
K1095
♥
874
♦
A5
♣
KQ102
.
Lead: ♥A
E
Me
♠
7
♥
QJ106
♦
108
♣
AJ8543

I encourage with the 6 of hearts, but partner probably has 4 hearts and thinks declarer is void. He switches smartly to a club.  Declarer plays the King and I take the Ace.  Now what?

I cash the queen of hearts. Declarer follows.  Now what?

It's too late now. Too happy to be able to cash a second  heart, I had failed to notice the club that partner had led and the club that declarer had played.  If partner has the singleton club, I need to get our side a club ruff. If partner has the doubleton, a club return gives declarer a potential diamond discard. I erred on the side of passivity and led another heart.

This was the complete hand.  Partner had led the 7 of clubs.  Sadly, I don't know if declarer false carded with the 9 or if he woodenly played the 6 (as I probably would have).
.
Vul: None
Dlr: North
N
North
♠
K1095
♥
874
♦
A5
♣
KQ102
.
W
West
♠
82
♥
AK32
♦
Q76432
♣
7
Lead: ♥A
E
Me
♠
7
♥
QJ106
♦
108
♣
AJ8543
.
S
South
♠
AQJ643
♥
95
♦
KJ9
♣
96
.
Sevens and sixes are important in this game!

1 comment:

  1. Because partner is not a passed hand, I wouldn't overcall 1H. If he had already passed, then anything goes. Just my two cents.

    ReplyDelete