Interesting Hands from Day 1
The following are a couple of hands from the first day’s play featuring the partnership of M. Smith and J Thompson.
Round 3
Australia vs Netherlands Schools 35 19 which converts to 15.05 4.95
Thompson led the ♣8 and the first trick was completed by ♣3, ♣2 and the ♣9.
The second and third trick declarer pulled two rounds of trumps with the ♠A and ♠K.
Declarer led a ♣ to the ♣Q and Smith took the ♣A.
Smith then led the ♥K to get the count and then two more rounds of ♥s with Thompson in with the ♥Q. Thomson led the ♠Q and then the ♥T which declarer ruffed.
Declarer led the ♦2 declarer and played the ♦K and Smith won with the ♦A. He then led the ♦3 and declarer put in the ♦9 and Thompson won the ♦T then another ♦ to Smith’s ♦Q beat the contract 3 for +300 (the contract was 3♦ in the other room for 110, thus a 5 imp pickup).
When Smith under led the ♦Q, it was completely safe as he had a count on declarer’s hand.
However, it was still well thought out and defenders need to be awake to these opportunities.
Round 5
Australia vs Germany 32 9 which converts to 16.78 3.22
This hand is a great board for Australia, but it illustrates a common theme for a weak hand as North discovered.
North passed as declarer and thought that this is probably going to be a straightforward auction for him. Thompson opened a heavy 3♠ pre-emptive bid and South had an easy double and Smith an easy pass thinking that 3♠ doubled is not going to be a disaster and hoping the opponent’s wander into 4♥.
North was now under the pump. At most other tables and in a similar situation, North bid 3NT and hoped nobody doubled but he did have help in three suits. This North risked a pass.
South led the ♥A and switched to the ♦K. This enabled Thompson to make 2 overtricks for a 12 imp pickup.
The contract can be defeated if the defence take 2 ♣ tricks and North switched to a ♦. This is by no means clear. This is a reason by passing as North is risky action at teams.
Posted by Chris on Tuesday, 26 March 2019 at 20:25