Herman's Contest 3

Board 22 (turned) East/West Vul. Dealer East	NORTH   Q 3 2   K Q 10 2   Q 6 5 2   8 7
WEST   10   J 9 8 6 5   8   Q J 10 9 5 3		EAST   K 8 7   7 3   A 10 9 4   K 6 4 2
	SOUTH   A J 9 6 5 4   A 4   K J 7 3   A

You would not be surprised to see that 5 tables end up in +450. One table scores +480, and one receive a bonus of +500 when opponents bid on to 5. Apart from a lone +170, there is one other score : I managed -50.

Yes, I was in 4 as well.

How did I manage to go down in that one ?

Well, first of all, congratulations to Louis for not making my life easy with a more revealing lead than the Queen of clubs.

I win this in hand, by necessity, and start planning.

I want to take the spade finesse, but I don't like to be going to the table in Hearts. That would force me to play them three times straight away and throw a diamond which may not even be a loser.

So I decide to play up to the Queen of Diamonds.

Now it doesn't take a genius (and Remi is one) to return diamonds. I had shown them in the bidding.

I think I cannot afford not putting in one of my honours and when this gets ruffed I am suddenly facing another diamond loser.

I'm back in hand after a club ruff and now I start hoping that Louis has K10 of spades, so the ruff doesn't cost me. So I cash the Ace, only to see those hopes vanish as well.

Now I really don't remember why I simply don't give away the spade King, and claim for just made.

In stead, I play three rounds of hearts, and when Remi ruffs the third one, I still have to give up a diamond trick.

How many serious mistakes is that in just the one hand ?

Well, it's always better to make two mistakes on one hand, than on two consecutive ones.

We managed 51%, and in that field, for me, that's a good result.

Written : 2000-04-27