Jimmy Sez #11

This memorable hand occurred last year when I was playing with my brother at the Hartford Bridge Club, one of the oldest clubs in the U.S.  I was sitting South with North-South vulnerable. When the dummy came  down I sure wished we had found our cold 6 heart slam but alas my brother decided to bid 6 no trump with his ace of spades.  Besides, I had to play the hand.

                                                            S- A 3

                                                            H- J 9 4 3

                                                            D- A K 3

                        S- K Q 9 8 7 6 5 2       C- 9 7 6 2                    S- 10

                        H- 5                                                                 H- 10 7 6 2

                        D- 4 2                                                              D- J 10 7 6

                        C- 8 5                          S- J 4                           C- J 10 4 3

                                                            H- A K Q 8

                                                            D- Q 9 8 5

N         E          S          W                    C- A K Q

Pass    Pass    2NT     4S!

6NT     Pass    Pass    Pass

After ducking the spade king then taking the ace, I realized that neither of my 4 card suits was likely  to break 3-3.  I could count 11 tricks so I had to try to squeeze East somehow.  I also had to maintain communication between both hands if the play had a chance.  I cashed the king and queen of both diamonds and clubs. I then cashed 3 hearts ending in my hand with the following position.

                                                            S- ------

                                                            H- 3

                                                            D- A

                        S- Q 9 8 7                    C- 9 7                          S- ------

                        H- -----                                                 H- -----

                        D- -----                                                             D- J 10

                        C- -----                         S- -----                         C- J 10

                                                            H- Q                           

                                                            D- 9 8 

                                                            C- A

When I cashed the heart queen, East had to unguard one of his minor suits.  Whichever suit he pitched allowed me to make my small card in that suit and  still reach it to make the contract.

Note:   Preempts often make one hand or the other much easier to count and therefore

            much easier to play.