Jimmy Sez #7

My wife Barb and I often disagree about bidding sequences, however when she is the declarer her play of the cards can be terrific.  This is a hand that helped us to win a very tough match.

                                    S- 6 2

                                    H- A 10 7 6                                                    

S- J 7 3                        D- K 7 6                      S- K Q 10 8 5             

H- K 4 3 2                   C- 9 7 3 2                    H- J 8 5                      

D- Q 2                                                             D- A 10 3                   

C- Q J 8 4                   S- A 9 4                       C- 10 6

                                    H- Q 9

                                    D- J 9 8 5 4

                        C- A K 5

 S          W        N         E

1D       P          1H       1S

 P        2S        3D       P

P          P

Barb ducked the spade king and then took the 10 of clubs shift with the ace.  She then played the heart queen covered by the king to the ace of hearts.  She now played the heart 6 losing to East’s jack.  East played the spot club taken with the king.  Barb now cashed the spade ace and ruffed the last spade.  She now pitched her club loser on the heart 10.  Barb now ruffed a small club from dummy and led the diamond four toward dummy ducking the seven to East’s diamond 10.  East is now stuck.  If he cashes the diamond ace he floors his partners queen.  Instead he led a spade which Barb ruffed with the diamond eight which effectively smothers West’s queen.  West can ruff and be over ruffed but the contract is safe.  Pretty neat huh!