Small accidents

Crashes are not good. At some time or other we've all had the embarrassing experience of playing an honour too early only to see partner having to under-play with a trick taking card or overtake ourselves with a shake of the head. But this concern isn't only about aces and king, there are minor crashes too:

EW Vul
Dealer North
  • J53
  • KJ984
  • 875
  • J7
  • AKQ6
  • 1052
  • A62
  • K85
N
W
E
S
  • 1094
  • AQ73
  • Q3
  • 10943
  • 872
  • 6
  • KJ1094
  • AQ62
West
North
East
South
—
Pass
Pass
1
1NT
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3*
Pass
3
Pass
4
All Pass

An auction typical of teams play where everyone strives for the vulnerable game. Still South's light opener was a success ensuring the defence get off to the best lead whether against spades or no-trumps. West ducked the lead to South who switched to his singleton, won in dummy. A small club came next and… South rose with the ace. That was the end of the defence because that play took away the usefulness of North's knave. Declarer was able to win the trump switch, ruff a diamond draw trumps and play the king of clubs; now he could use the 109 to set up a discard for his heart loser. South needed to play low on the club switch (and low on the next round too), leaving West without resource. Try this defensive problem:

N
W
E
S
  • K1074
  • 762
  • K73
  • A64
  • 8
  • QJ83
  • AJ984
  • KQ7

As South you open 1♦ and over West's spade overcall partner supports to the three level but they secure the declaration at 3♠. North starts a diamond, king from dummy and you win. Declarer looks good for the contract but it is pairs and overtricks are important; what next?

West surely has five spades ace-queen, a singleton diamond and most likely 4-3 in clubs and hearts with, at best, ♥AK. If he has four clubs he may discard a heart loser on the thirteenth club so you must attack hearts. If he has four hearts leading the suit may give him a trick. If West has the heart ten there's nothing you can do – though leading the suit early forces a decision when a club finesse might win. What you mustn't do is start the suit with the queen. For when partner has the ten doubleton and declarer ♥AK9x you'll squash the life out of those important spots. A low heart and another when you come in with a club honour is the indicated play and should save a few matchpoints.

Published Saturday 3.Sep.2005