Page 9 - ABF Newsletter August 2025

meaning of this double, she opted to lead from her long club suit. Declarer won this then proceeded to run his diamonds. On the final diamond a club was discarded from dummy, removing the entry to his second club winner. He exited a spade which I was able to win before leading the [10 to dummy’s king. From here, I was able to secure the last four tricks in hearts and spades, for +100 to Australia.
In the post mortem we brought this hand up with our captain, Pete Hollands. For doubling 3NT, North likely has a good hand with a suit. Due to 3{ not being doubled, clubs are eliminated. From the auc- tion the opponents are known to not have a major fit, making a major lead more enticing. Some partner- ships have agreements for these situations, where a double here would always ask for a spade lead. In this case a spade lead would have allowed the opponents to make their contract. This was just one example of an experience that assisted in improving our defense.
At the other table, the auction went:
Adrian Le
Board 6. Dealer East. East-West vulnerable.
]— [AK95 }KQJ852 { 10 7 5
] 10 5 4 3
[ Q 10 6 3
}A }94 {AK93 {QJ8
]AJ876 [7
} 10 7 6 3 {642
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH pass pass
1{ 1} dbl 2} 2[ 3NT all pass
Sitting North I decide to punt 3NT, imagining my partner with an ace and another honour giving me nine tricks. Plus hoping the opponents lead hearts! Anyway, it goes small heart to the ten and king, and I play the king of diamonds. West wins and continues the ten of hearts, and my heart beats as I now think I have a chance! I just need one more trick, and if I can get East to lead hearts again we are home. After I win the ace of hearts, I lead a risky club from hand, a trick I learnt from Pete on YouTube. East rises with the jack of clubs, but unfortunately West overtakes with the king and leads another heart through me, and I go two down!
WEST NORTH 2} 2[
pass 3[
EAST SOUTH 1} pass
3} pass
4} all pass
Diamonds was a very popular contract among the field. 4} went down one, +50 to the Netherlands earning Australia 2 imps.
]KQ92 [J842
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: August 2025
Page: 9