Bridge - The Scotsman 03/07/2012

This 4S contract from the European Championships was bid at most tables, but made at few. South opened a weak 2S and North raised to game. A club lead beats 4S trivially, but the jack of hearts looked more tempting.

Declarer won the ace of hearts – it looked unwise to give West the opportunity to switch to a club. He then drew trump. Those who won the second spade in hand to lead a heart towards dummy went down: West won the ten and, noting that partner had played his lowest remaining heart, switched to a club. When the finesse lost East cashed two diamonds to beat the game.

Several Easts doubled 4S, basically a takeout double that partner could leave in if he chose. West had nowhere to go, but only John Matheson of the Scottish Seniors had enough faith in partner to redouble. Willie Coyle played carefully, drawing trump in two rounds ending in dummy, then leading the four of hearts. Since the jack might be from Jx West leapt up with the queen to cash ace-king of diamonds, hoping to make a club trick later. But the queen dropped partner’s ten, leaving the 98 as equals against his king. Coyle ruffed his winning diamond in dummy to lead the nine of hearts and ruff away East’s king. Then he crossed to a spade to discard his losing club on the nine of hearts and claim his redoubled contract. +880 went well with +50 from the other room.