We got a lucky break on this hand.
Board #4
West dealer
Both sides vulnerable
| | North
♠ K 9 7 5 3
♥ A 2
♦ 9 6
♣ A K Q 7
| | West
♠ J 6
♥ K 9 8 7 6 5
♦ K 8 4
♣ 10 9
| | East
♠ A 10 8
♥ Q 4 3
♦ Q J 2
♣ 8 6 5 4
| | | South
♠ Q 4 2
♥ J 10
♦ A 10 7 5 3
♣ J 3 2
| |
|
| | | | |
| South | West | North | East |
| 2♥ | 2♠ | 3♥ |
| 3♠ | P | 4♠ | P |
| P | P | | |
West, my right-hand opponent, opened 2♥. Many people, taking into account the vulnerability, would pass. My overcall was also difficult to justify. I have enough strength, but the suit is admittedly sparse. But the suit was spades, and I have an awfully tough time passing when I have spades. Both of our partners raised. West passed the second time around.
The second decision was very tough for me. East could be bidding on nothing. My partner, in contrast, had made a free bid. He must have something. I decided to bid the game.
The lead was the expected heart. It was time to count and plan. Oh, God, this is awful. It looks like two certain losers in trumps, and at least one in each red suit. How about winners? If I only win three spade tricks, the most I can get are four in clubs and one each in hearts and diamonds. The board's diamonds are a possible source of tricks, but how could I possibly use them before the opponents win four tricks?
Then I saw another possibility.
The opening lead was, as expected, a heart. I won it with my ace and led low to the ♠Q, which held. I then led low back to my ♠K. I was happy to see that West, who had three more hearts than his partner, followed suit. If the trumps had split 4-1, I would have no chance. East won the trick with the ace.
This was the moment of truth. East thought for a long moment and then played a diamond. I won with the board's ace, reeled off four club tricks, and pitched dummy's heart loser. I then ruffed my second heart in dummy. This was my tenth trick – three spades, four clubs, two red aces, and one ruff.
East could have prevented this by leading either the last trump or a heart. Being able to read situations like this is one of the main differences between a pretty good player and a very good player. However, it was not obvious. Neither minor suit was mentioned in the auction, and there was no indication in the play that my power was concentrated in the club suit. If West had even one club honor, the diamond lead would be safe.
East did have a count on the trump suit. His partner certainly had no more after the second round. Usually, but not always, it is a good idea to take out two trumps with one when you get a chance.