Sunday, 13 January 2019

Pure Miracle!


Here’s a miracle hand. It was played at matchpoint scoring in a local bridge club. 

It started with a light opening bid (by American standards). South was hoping that North’s 2♠ rebid meant a six-card suit, but this time, he simply had a weak hand and was trying to slow down the auction. West’s double of 6♠ was a touch too greedy and he learnt a lesson when South removed to 6NT. The second double was probably an emotional reaction! 

Declarer won the heart lead in hand, cashed A-K and ♠A. At this point, everything under the sun had fallen and declarer claimed 12 tricks (three spades, three hearts, five diamonds and one club). Had South played it out, he would have squeezed West for another trick. He could cash ♣A and A, then the rest of the diamonds and last heart. West would have been unable to protect clubs and spades. 

The theory of restricted choice says that the diamond honour is likely to be a singleton (although the double of 6NT may have influenced South against this). Playing for a singleton diamond honour, South should have gone over to A and finesse in diamonds. West would have won Q. But, West who forgot to lead ♣K soon would have been squeezed. If he had exited with ¨K, declarer could win, cash his red tricks and come down to ♠A-5 and ♣J-8 opposite ♠QJ76. West must reduce to 3 spades in order to keep ♣Q. This allows declarer to cash four miraculous spade tricks. 

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