Bridge - The Scotsman 19/07/2012

By Liz McGowan
Published on 19/07/2012 00:23

Expert players tend to bid all possible, and some impossible, vulnerable games. In a European Championship lots of imps swing on whether the thin ones make or go down. This example comes from the match between Ireland and Denmark at the start of the Open event.

East’s 2NT rebid showed 18-19 points, and West’s only excuse for bidding on was the possibility of a vulnerable game bonus. Hugh McGann led the six of spades, second highest from a bad suit. Tom Hanlon did not waste his king on dummy’s ten, which scored. Declarer led a low heart to the queen and South’s king. Hanlon played the ten on this trick, a Smith Peter which told partner that he had an unexpectedly good holding in the suit he had led. This had to be the king of spades – with the ace he would win the first trick and return the suit. McGann continued with the four of spades, a middle card suggesting an entry in the middle suit, diamonds. Hanlon ducked again and East had to win the ace.

Declarer had eight winners, two spades, four hearts and two clubs He could establish a ninth in clubs, or, more slowly, in diamonds, but the defenders already had five winners, three spades and ace-king of diamonds. The defence is more difficult if West responds 1NT and so becomes declarer. It is generally right to lead a spade when the auction begins 1H-1NT, but one could sympathise with any North who chose another lead.