A Coup For You

Since you have two chances at spades, it is right to lead one even though declarer is prepared for the lead. Normally one would lead low from Ten third, but can this be right? Partner did not open a weak two, so the opponents are likely to hold five spades. The declarer is more likely to have the doubleton.

In fact, the winning lead is the spade ten. Dummy held Q 9 4 and declarer had K 8. The lead of a low spade, the choice at both tables, provides a double stopper. The more imaginative lead of the Ten beats the contract.

This is one to remember.

Playing in the final match of a strong regional Swiss Teams, you are competing for the win. There are several other teams within striking range. You have 90 VP’s after six matches. My teams call this “Miller Par.” My theory is that if you put up 15 VP’s per match in a flighted event, you will probably win. If it is stratified, you will need a few more.

One of the concepts behind “Miller Par” is to get your team to quit thinking about winning matches and focus on winning VP’s. It is amazing how many players, even experts, lose track of this concept.

Back to the hand.

As South, you pick up the following: T 6 3 T 9 8 3 A 4 J 6 5 3.

With neither Vulnerable, the auction proceeds as follows:

RHO opens 1, you pass, and LHO calls 1. Partner overcalls 1 and RHO leaps to 3NT.

Partner has asked for a spade lead, but declarer seems ready for that. You have a nasty surprise in declarer’s suit, and three cards in partner’s suit. What should you lead?

Make your choice before viewing the solution.

Playing a Regional IMP KO match against a strong team you hold this hand, white on red:

9 6 3 Q T 5 K Q 6 5 K Q 6.

As dealer, you choose to pass. LHO opens 1, partner passes, and RHO bids 3 , a limit raise. LHO bids 4 and partner surprises you by introducing a double.

What do you make of this, and what action do you take?

You could try bidding 4 and partner might find a 4 call, but you are still a long far from home.

This hand, with only five losers, has plenty of potential. Having said this, it needs specific cards: the club king, the top trumps, and a diamond control. It is difficult to find all of this in standard methods, especially when this is plenty of hand outside of partner’s first-bid suit. But partner might have the right cards, with little in hearts.

The solution is the “serious 3NT.” Or at least an encouraging or waiting 3NT. We play that a cue bid in a suit bid by the partnership is an A or K, interchangeably. It is never shortness. 3NT gives partner a chance to show the K, and you have an easy control bid of 4 .

Partner will then have a set shot, holding: A K 5 4 J 7 5 3 K Q 4 K 2.

You might contrive another auction to slam, but my guess is that few would bid it without the 3NT convention. When 3NT cannot logically be natural, it is waiting and encouraging.

Playing rubber bridge you pick up the following hand:

Q T 9 3 A 7 3 A Q J 8 5 3.

You open 1 and partner responds 1 . The opponents are silent and you rebid 1 . Partner bids 2 , an artificial game force, so you make your natural rebid of 3 . Partner now reveals spade support and extras with 3 .

What should you call?

The solution is here.