Vil Gravis's blog

This week, a real fun as well as educational deal that has something for everyone.
Board 12 from Wednesday 23/11/22
Dealer West NS Vul

	Q2 Q987654 K652
K94 J AQ92 QJT84		AT8765 KT876 A9
	J3 AKT32 J543 73

This deal gave our declarers the opportunity to match Deep Finesse in the play, once again just by following best declarer play recommendations without the need to see through the cards, as Deep Finesse can do.

Board 17 from Tuesday 15/11/22
Dealer North Nil Vul

	QJ874 K3 AK853 7
AK Q52 QT94 AJ32		T63 AJ764 7 KQ85
	952 T98 J62 T964

The general rule of thumb when playing a No Trump contract is that you play on your longest suit to develop tricks in it. Here, West had two long suits with many potential tricks, but only two stoppers in an outside suit, one of them having been removed on the opening lead, and the other certain to be
removed when the defence win their first trick, which was bound to happen. How then should West as declarer proceed after a spade lead from North?

Board 17 from Tuesday 8/11/22
Dealer North Nil Vul

	QJ843 863 J J542
K9 A54 32 AKT863		A5 KQ9 AT98765 9
	T762 JT72 KQ4 Q7

Our X-Clubs readers may be interested in this issue of “Vil’s Corner” from the Hutt Club’s regular newsletter “Finesse”. Entries with answers to the final poser are welcome from members of other clubs and there will be a special prize for the perfect answer. Last month’s posers proved a bit of a challenge. Thanks to “Peter and Dale” who gave two very good, though not perfect, answers.. Well done, and thank you for your contribution. Here are my suggested answers to the questions:

1. Dealer West All Vul

AKQ KQT5 KQJ84 4

J86542 A92 AT AK

Playing basic NZ Bridge Acol, how should the bidding go to arrive at the optimum contract?

Teams play can be much more interesting and exciting than any match point session. That is because matches can be won or lost in just one hand, with big swings possible when either team fails to make their game or slam, or when one team is in slam and the opponents only in game. This deal was played in a slam at both tables in two of our matches and could have resulted in a big swing one way or another and a big win for either team. There were six matches in progress but only in two matches was the slam bid. More interestingly, in one match, both declarers made but should not have. In the other match both declarers failed, as indeed they should have. Another interesting thing was that it was in the top of the table match that both declarers were allowed to make the slam by less than adequate defence. But at least both declarers gave it their best shot and gave the defence a chance to go wrong.

Board 20 from Tuesday 11/10/22
Dealer West All Vul

	AQJ542 A3 65 A75
87 QT75 QJ92 Q92		96 J64 T873 K863
	KT3 K982 AK4 JT4