Vil Gravis's blog

From Wednesday 8th Feb.
I don't like to talk about slams too much but this one is worth discussion. That is because TWO pairs played in 3NT despite what should have been a known spade fit (at LEAST 4-4 no matter what your bidding system is), ONE hapless North in 4C, and one South in 4H! The people in question will know how that happened and I hope will know better next time, though 'next time' is invariably too late.

Board 13 Dealer N ALL Vul

	A9865 A KQJ2 AJ9
Q42 J53 T654 KQ4		T QT642 9873 T72
	KJ73 K987 A 8653

From Wednesday 25th January.
Some lessons from this deal:

• When you can open the bidding with 11 HCP
• The need for a TAKEOUT double that is meaningful
• Why you should draw trumps

Let's take a look ...

A Happy Christmas to all readers. As a special 'treat' for readers, here is a reproduction of a poser that will feature in the Hutt Club's “Finesse” magazine for December. Readers are asked to send me (villyn@xtra.co.nz) their solutions. This problem will be so instructive as to teach the reader just about every aspect of declarer play, so do give it a go. My 'solution' will appear in the first Wednesday review for the new year.

You are SOUTH and, after West has opened the bidding with 1C, you have somehow managed to propel yourself into 6S.

Contract: 6S by South. Opening Lead: KING OF CLUBS
North (dummy)

T8

A872

QJ

A9752

You (South)

AKQJ732

963

AK

6

1. As closely as you can, reproduce the West hand
2. After West leads the KING OF CLUBS against your 6S, what is your best chance of making your slam?

From Wednesday 16/11/2016.
This week there were a number of hands where slam COULD be made, but only one deal where slam should have been easy to bid and make:
Board 17 Dealer N Nil Vul

	7 T9632 A842 KQ9
QJ6 Q T9765 8742		T98532 54 Q3 JT5
	AK4 AKJ87 KJ A63

From Wednesday 2/11/2016
Match point bridge is all about finding the right contract and making the most of it. And if you end up defending, it is about finding the right defence and limiting declarer to what you can. Board 11 is a good example on both counts.

Board 11 Dealer S Nil Vul

	43 963 QJ64 8743
K2 AQT75 T873 A5		JT9765 KJ AK KT2
	AQ8 842 952 QJ96