14th October – Board 4: Game All. Dealer West.
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North:
S Q 9 7
H Q 8 2
D J 8 7 5 3 2
C A
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West:
S J 8 6 4 2
H J 9 4
D Q
C K Q 8 2
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East:
S 10 5 3
H A 10 5
D K 9
C 10 7 6 4 3
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South:
S A K
H K 7 6 3
D A 10 6 4
C J 9 5
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I would expect most pairs to bid to the inferior contract of 3NT on the featured hand, a contract that would prevail on any lead except a low club. And if I were playing I cannot pretend that the bidding would go any differently from: -
West
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North
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East
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South
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No
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No
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No
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1H
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1S
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2D
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2S
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2NT
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No
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3H
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No
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3NT
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End
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You might argue that it would be naïve of West to lead a spade after this auction, for declarer surely has a double stop, which perhaps should lead to the winning shot of a low club. (Leading the king would let declarer make.) But have you noticed that 5D, although a rare enough contract, cannot be defeated? Say West leads a spade. Declarer can win, play a club to the ace and return to hand with a spade. A club is ruffed in dummy and the last club thrown on the queen of spades, after which declarer exits with ace and another diamond. Poor East has to win and either open up the heart suit or concede a ruff and discard.
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