Coming up short in trumps

Today’s deal comes from the South Island Pairs Tournament held recently at the Otago Bridge Club’s rooms. First, let’s take a look at the bidding.

North/South were a top precision system pair. South’s twoclub opener promised at least five clubs and 1115 points, while North’s response was a major suit inquiry.

East/West were playing weak jump overcalls. Initially West did not consider his hand to be good enough to bid at adverse vulnerability but couldn’t resist another opportunity to enter the auction when it arose. Now this is when things became interesting.

Many players would not choose to compete to the three level with only an eightcard fit (in line with a bidding theory called The Law of Total Tricks) but North was hungry for the additional matchpoints which the major would bring, hence the heart raise.

Would you double three hearts on the East hand? We’ve all, on occasion, been reluctant to penalise a contract if we fear the opponents could escape to better place. Today was one of those times when yes, the opponents could have profitably retreated to the safety of a superior fit. Would East/West now reach the thin game over four clubs? An academic question, because our North chose to pass.

West led the jack of diamonds to East’s ace and a diamond came back to South’s king. South was taken aback at the sight of dummy but stoically played a small heart at trick three. However, once West showed out, an element of despair set in. He inserted the 10 of hearts when the king would have been much better.

East exited with a spade to West’s ace and a diamond came back. For once, the ruff and sluff was of no use to declarer but simply served to shorten his trumps. Now East, holding the ace of trumps and a long suit with which to force, was in total control of the hand. After the dust had settled, South had managed to collect only five tricks.

East/West expected to pick up all of the matchpoints for plus 800, but it wasn’t to be. One North/South pair had bid all the way to five hearts (also four light). One lucky West was doubled in three spades, making 11 tricks. What a hand.