Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
-K Q 8 6 5 4 3
-A 8 4
-A 5
-10
WEST EAST
-10 -J 9 2
-Q 9 3 -10 7 5
-Q J 10 9 8 7 3 -K 6 2
-A K -J 9 5 3
SOUTH
-A 7
-K J 6 2
-4
-Q 8 7 6 4 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 2 Dbl Pass
3 Pass 3 Pass
5 Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of
Because he did not fare well with normal bidding methods, the one facet of bridge that Trump Coup Tommy liked more than a hand where trumps did not break was one where he could use (perhaps abuse was nearer the mark) some of his new gadgets. Here is a deal where he could do both.
Tommy's opening bid was canape, the shorter suit first. North's double created a game force. The three-spade bid was natural and suggested support for one of partner's suit. Obviously, Tommy expected club support. Patently, nothing could have been further from North's mind.
West led the queen of diamonds, taken with the ace in dummy. Tommy called for the ten of clubs, covered by the jack ("To protect my trump trick, partner!"), low from Tommy and won by West perforce. A diamond was ruffed in the closed hand and Tommy exited with a low trump, and West was again on lead. A spade shift went to Tommy's ace, a spade was led to the king and the queen of spades was cashed for a heart discard.
Tommy started running good spades. On the first, both East and Tommy let go a heart. On the next, East sluffed another heart, leaving him with one heart, one diamond and 9 5 of clubs, while Tommy ruffed. Our hero crossed back to the table with the ace of hearts and led yet another spade. If East let go a diamond, Tommy would pitch the king of hearts and score his last two trumps by leading a spade. If East ruffed, Tommy would overruff, draw the remaining trump and score the king of hearts for the fulfilling trick.
This column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680
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