BRIDGE
BRIDGE
Neither vulnerable, East deals
NORTH
xJ 8 5 4
uK 8 6 2
vQ J 8 3
wJ
WEST EAST
x9 xK 7 6
uA Q J 10 7 3 u9
v9 7 5 2 vA K 10 4
w10 3 wK 9 8 7 2
SOUTH
xA Q 10 3 2
u5 4
v6
wA Q 6 5 4
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1v 1x 3u- 4x
All pass
-Pre-emptive
Opening lead: Seven of v
Today’s deal is from the Spingold teams in 2001. The Spingold is one of the most prestigious events held in the USA each year, with the winner getting an opportunity to represent the USA in the World Championships. East was Bob Hamman, from Dallas, Texas -- perhaps the greatest player of all time.
Declarer ducked the opening diamond lead to Hamman’s 10, and Hamman shifted to his singleton heart. West won with the ace and continued with the queen of hearts, covered with the king, and ruffed by Hamman. This left Hamman with a very delicate defensive problem.
The heart position had been resolved, so East needed both black kings to justify his opening bid. Had Hamman tried to cash another diamond, South would have an easy cross-ruff, setting up a diamond trick with a ruffing finesse in the process. A low trump from East and declarer would let that run to dummy’s jack, take the marked club finesse, and romp home with a cross-ruff.
Hamman led the only card in his hand that would defeat the contract -- the king of trumps! Now South was in the wrong hand to take the club finesse. He had to use up another trump to get to dummy, and the 5-2 club split spelled defeat in the end. Great play!
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