All News

for Junior, Intermediate and Novice players...and others! It's Fri Day. 

Beware the pitfalls!

Today’s deal has a little bit about bidding and a piece more about playing a board which is not quite straightforward. We will come back to the bidding shortly but firstly, you are declarer as South in 3NT on the lead of the K. What’s your plan in making 9 tricks, maybe more, as you are playing Pairs… and overtricks are really worth getting?

 

3 is a pre-empt, usually a 7-card suit in the 6-10 hcp range. Your partner had a perfect take-out double (sometimes our doubles are inevitably a little off-shape) and we choose 3NT with a reasonable hold in clubs. K lead…over to you?

We could have chosen to bid 5 (as well as our partner, we also have an opening hand, we should not bid less than game) though it is often so much easier making 9 tricks in no-trumps, when we have a hold in the opponent’s suit, than 11 in a minor suit…and overtricks score more in no trumps, too.

So, do you have your plan? Have you spotted the incomplete statement above…about overtricks?

Overtricks are indeed very good to get especially playing Pairs but one’s first aim should be to ensure one’s contract. That should certainly be South’s number 1 aim as declarer in this 3NT contract.

On a good day, South will make 4 spade tricks along with A and A. Therefore, we will always need at least 3 diamond tricks to make 9 tricks and the stumbling block to getting those is the missing Q.

One rather careless South took the first trick and played A and then a second diamond to the king.

 

The news was very bad. South took their 3 only spade tricks, along with A but then had to give up the rest of the tricks….down 2.

 

First Precaution.

If you must lose the lead to the Q, then make sure that if you lose to East that they cannot return a club. So, you must duck the K at trick 1.

West will continue with Q. Should you win that trick? In theory, it is safe to do so as when West has 7 clubs, East will only have 2. “Theory” and “reality” can be very different! We cannot open a Weak 2 in clubs because we all play 2 as any game forcing hand. Therefore, with a good 6-card club suit and no 4+ card major suit, it is often a good idea to call 3, as West did above.

A careful South should be aware of that and should duck the Q as well. After all, if you manage to play the diamond suit without loss and did manage 4 spade tricks (not today), then you will still only make 11 tricks. Giving up the first two is therefore cost free. Even if it did cost you an overtrick, it is worth doing.

So, West continues the J and you are glad you did duck as East produced a third club. You win the ace, throwing a second heart from dummy. How do you play the diamond suit?

Second Precaution.

Since you have  taken the precaution of stopping West from winning the lead, you should play diamonds with this in mind. Cash A in your hand and then lead a second diamond, inserting 10 from dummy. You do not mind if East were to win Q because you will have at least four diamond and three spade tricks, along with A and A…ensuring your contract. When East discards, you will make an overtrick.

  

the survivor!

So, you score an overtrick by taking a safe approach. There are times when you have to take risky finesses but if you take one which ensures your contract even if the finesse fails, then do so. Our first South did not foresee the dangers. Our careful approach ensured an average plus result..and an overtrick!

Oh, with careful play, you can make an overtrick in 5. You should make 11 even if you misguess the location of Q, though making 10 tricks in 3NT scored better and was easier to play, too.

Richard Solomon

Go Back View All News Items