Dorset Swiss Teams

We were not on top form for the Dorset one day Swiss teams, finishing in the middle of the field. This hand was typical, where we managed to let through a no-play 3NT.

The 1 diamond response showed hearts - these transfer responses to 1 club allow weak responses with somewhat less risk than normal. Ann led a diamond to my ace, I returned a diamond to the king and a third round went to my queen. After a long think I played a heart into the ace-queen - a good try but no cigar. If declarer had held an extra spade and one less club this would have been the winning defence, but he was able to play three rounds of clubs ending in hand, cash the diamond winner and lead a spade up, making nine tricks when he guessed to play the king.

An initial heart lead would have been better and would have simplified the defence, but I should have spent more time thinking at trick 1. It would have been a good idea to play the queen on the first trick. Declarer surely has a diamond guard on the bidding and when the queen holds the first trick that has to be four or five to the jack. Now the only chance for the defence is if partner holds the ace of spades, so a spade return is marked.

Maybe this was not that easy a defence, as Dave Huggett and his partner also let Chris make 3NT for a flat board.

Hand of the Week

A couple of people are trying to persuade me to start a 'hand of the week' blog, discussing interesting hands from the duplicates at Dorchester or Weymouth. I'm not sure about that, but this was the most interesting hand at Dorchester this week.

West led the ten of spades and declarer ducked the first two tricks (in case East had opened with a 5-card suit) and won the third. As West is more likely to hold the length in hearts, his next move was to play ace, king and another heart, but East was able to win and cash spades for two down.

Declarer missed an extra chance with an avoidance play. After a heart to the ace, he can come back to hand in diamonds and lead another heart, ducking when West plays the queen.

However, West could have thwarted this cunning plan by ditching the queen of hearts on the third round of spades. A tough play to find, but not too far-fetched as it only costs if declarer has jack doubleton of hearts. This would leave partner with four hearts, unlikely after the weak two opening. But then the defence have no chance if declarer wins the second round of spades.

Reverse Lightner

We made too many mistakes to make the cut in the regional final of the National Pairs, and in any case we have already used up a lifetime's worth of good fortune in this event. This wild hand provided some light relief.

At our table the auction escalated rapidly to six hearts and I made what seemed an obvious Lightner double. Obvious, that is, until I realised that my partner was not on lead. I tried to avoid showing any sign of embarrassment and led the nine of clubs. Partner's ace was good news, as the contract could easily have been cold with an overtrick. After an agonising wait a spade hit the table and I could breathe again. Thank you partner!