The Name Of The Game

3rd May – Board 4. Game All. Dealer West.

Playing pairs is a completely different proposition from team’s play. When playing pairs garnering as many tricks as possible is the name of the game and makes all the difference between a top and a bottom. Take the following hand from last Thursday:

	North: S Q 10 9 7 6 H A 10 5 4 D K 10 8 5 C none
West: S K 4 H 9 8 2 D J 9 4 C K Q J 7 6		East: S A 8 5 2 H J 3 D 7 6 2 C A 9 5 2
	South: S J 3 H K Q 7 6               D A Q 3 C 10 8 4 3

West	North	East	South
No	No	No	1NT
No	2C	No	2H
End

North is quite right to use Stayman and not just transfer to spades in case a 4-4 fit comes to light, much preferable to 5-3. West will undoubtedly lead a top club, ruffed in dummy, but declarer must not now draw trumps and set up the spades. That will result in a loss of two spades and two clubs and although the contract makes it will not be nearly good enough. Before drawing trumps attack the long side suit first, retaining trumps in dummy to deal with any further club leads. Nine tricks, a bottom, will transform into eleven tricks, a top!