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ANYONE FOR HEARTS?

Trying to play boards in hearts this week at Akarana proved or could have proved a little difficult. From Board 1 through to 28 would see a multitude of failed contracts. On Board 1, East-West held:

West                                     East

 AQJT8                               -

 K96                                     AQ875

 J8                                        AKQT2

T85                                     KQ2

bad breaks!

A perfectly reasonable 6 even without the A lead, except that North held JT32 and was unwilling to put up an honour the second time the suit was played. East-West had their revenge a few boards later when their opponents could not make a 25hcp 4 or a more aggressive 22 hcp heart game. Another 4just slithered in…and then…

Fast track to Board 28:

 

West’s final pass was a little conservative. A “values” style “you make the right decision, partner" might have been more productive for East-West…but might not! With no entry to dummy in 4, North must lose a heart, two trumps and a trick in each minor…down 2.

However, 5 might be East’s choice. The opening lead is crucial to this contract. If North chooses  either major, North can be end –played with a low diamond after two rounds of clubs reveals the break in that suit (assuming on a spade lead, declarer plays trumps correctly). 11 tricks can be made. An end-play is also possible if North leads A and a second diamond. However, if North does lead the singleton club, while North does get end-played, they must score three tricks in the process…down one in 5. In that case, West would regret their double of 4.

However, all was not disaster for those in hearts. Board 19 proved to be bad for those who bid aggressively in diamonds on the North-South cards. They told all East they needed to know about partner’s diamonds:

 

 

West produced the expected diamond singleton and enough high cards (they did double 3!) to make 6 a claim. No bad trump break could break this heart slam!

Richard Solomon

 

 

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