Jimmy Sez #12

Sometime during the play of a hand people give up too soon.  This hand comes from a recent team game in Independence Ohio.  The hand illustrates how when you have the high spots in trump many good things can occur.  Observe that the opponents bidding makes the correct play transparent.

                                                            S- A Q 9

                                                            H- 7 4 3

                                                            D- K Q 3

                        S- K 5 4 3                    C- A 7 4 2                   S- 10

                        H- A K 10 9                                                    H- Q 8 5 2

                        D- J 7 4                                                           D- !0 9 8 6

                        C- Q 10                       S- J 8 7 6 2                  C- J 9 8 3

                                                            H- J 6

Bidding                                   D- A 5 2

 W       N         E          S                      C- K 6 5

1D       Dbl      Pass    2S

Pass    4S        Pass    Pass

Pass

After ruffing the third heart it looks as if the finesse and drop of the spade king is the only way to bring in the contract because the loss of a club is inevitable.  The bidding indicates that three diamonds can be cashed after the spade king has been finessed twice.  This brings this position.

                                                            S- A

                                                            H- ------

                                                            D- ------

                        S- K 5                          C- A 7 4 2                   S- -----

                        H- 9                                                                H- -----

                        D- ------                                                           D- 10

                        C- Q 10                       S- 8 7                           C- J 9 8 3

                                                            H- ------

                                                            D- ------

                                                            C- K 6 5

After the play of the ace, king and a small club East has to play a club or diamond and as you can see, the spade king is trapped and the contract is made.

                                                            S- A

                                                            H- -----

                                                            D- -----

                        S- K 5                          C- 2                              S- ------

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

                        D- -----                                                             D- 10

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

                                                            H- ------

                                                            D- -----

                                                            C- ------