Bridge

THE spoils in matchpointed events usually go to aggressive pairs. Every board is of equal importance so you cannot afford to relax, even 
on partscore hands.

West’s 1S overcall was the first pushy bid but it is important to get into the auction with the slightest excuse. North’s 2S showed a high card raise with heart support.

East’s 3C was a ‘non-jump fit bid’. As she hadn’t opened 3C, she couldn’t have just a long club suit, so it is logical to have this sequence show spade support and good clubs. 3S would have made but 4H was still a risky bid, as East confirmed with her double.

West led the club 8 to the queen, king and 5. East returned the club jack, won with dummy’s ace. Declarer played a trump to the king and West’s ace won.

West now has a tough decision. Will one down for +100 be a good score? Does partner have diamond strength or the spade ace? He passed the test with flying colours, leading the spade king, then a spade to the ace, allowing East to play a club to promote the trump jack for two down and +300.

If, instead, West leads a spade to the ace, dummy’s c9 comes into play. Say East returns the club 10: declarer can ruff high, cross to the dQ and discard his remaining spade on the c9, going one down for a decent N-S score.