Bridge - The Scotsman 07/06/2012

On this deal from the Senior Camrose a light opener pointed the way for John Matheson to make his game. Most opened 1D as North, but the Irish North-South were playing four-card majors. Willie Coyle’s raise to 3NT was based on what he hoped was a source of tricks in clubs.

South found the most awkward lead of a spade to the king, ducked. North now switched to the king of diamonds, and Matheson won the ace, giving North no chance to revert to spades. He played the queen of clubs, covered by the king and ace. Next he led a careful unblocking nine of hearts from dummy. North covered with the ten and declarer won the queen. He led a second club to the nine, getting the good news that South had the ten, and the bad news that he had started with four clubs. There were eight top winners, but North was known to have at least four hearts. Declarer played the king of hearts, then finessed the eight for his game.

If North does not cover the nine of hearts declarer probably wins the queen, playing South for one of the honours. As the play went he can afford to concede a club, hoping that the defenders cannot cash three diamonds; even if the suit does not break 3-3 South may have a significant doubleton – the eight is good enough. If spades are led and continued, declarer needs four heart tricks and must run the nine on the first round – not so easy!