Dealer: S Vul: Both
NORTH
♠ 94
♥ J98432
♦ KJ6
♣ Q10
WEST EAST
♠ Q8732 ♠ AK5
♥ A ♥ Q
♦ AQ973 ♦ 108542
♣ J6 ♣ 8754
SOUTH
♠ J105
♥ K10765
♦ —
♣ AK932
What can possibly go wrong when, in defence, you make the opening lead of an Ace when not also holding the King of the same suit? Let’s see what happened on Board 23 (above) from last Friday when Noela Collins and Leanne Munson sat North/South. Recognizing the strength of two five-card suits, Leanne opened the bidding with 1H, followed by 1S by West and a strong raise in hearts by Noela. East/West gave up when the bidding reached 4H, although sacrificing in 4S might have saved them some points.
West led the Ace of diamonds, only to be disappointed to see the King in dummy (North). West was even more upset when declarer, Leanne, trumped the Ace in hand. The ten tricks needed for game (with a bonus) were easy to make – just concede two spades and a heart and claim the rest. Leanne found a better way. Immediately a small club can be led from hand to the Queen in dummy and the ten topped by the Ace. Now comes the key play. The King follows. To win this trick West must play the Ace of trumps, allowing a spade to be discarded from dummy. The defenders can still win one spade, but North/South have no more losers. Plus 650 for eleven tricks was a top score for Noela and Leanne, who won the North/South section. The only other pair to bid 4H failed to find the play made by Leanne.
Results, Monday 04/11/24 (5-table Mitchell): N/S J. Nankervis P.Kelly (59.2) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (57.5) 2. E/W L. Don T.Hinde (64.00) 1; C. Duggan N. McGinness (56.5) 2. Friday, 08/11/24 (5-table Mitchell) N/S N. Collins L. Munson (61.7) 1; P. Kelly L. Don (48.7) 2; E/W D. Moran N. McGinness (65.0) 1; L. James S. Head (58.3) 2.
