Dealer: S Vul: E/W
NORTH
♠ J62
♥ A1054
♦ AQ9752
♣
WEST EAST
♠ A108 ♠ Q54
♥ KJ83 ♥ Q
♦ J10 ♦ K864
♣ AK83 ♣ QJ762
SOUTH
♠ K973
♥ 9762
♦ 3
♣ 10954
This board is notable because, despite 3NT being bid at each of the four tables, every score was different. One declarer failed to make this contract while the other scored were 600, 630 and 660. Overall winners Jenny Smith and Leanne Munson did best when, after the lead of the nine of diamonds they won eleven tricks for the top score of 660. After receiving the lead of the nine of diamonds, declarer obeyed the mantra “second to play, plays low” and called for the four from dummy (East). This allowed declarer to win in hand with the Jack (hiding the ten). The King will also win in due course. The recommended line of play from here is to set up two heart tricks by playing a low heart to dummy’s Queen. North will find it hard to resist rising with the Ace, but then anything that North now leads will tend to favour declarer.
A low heart is best, as South’s nine will force out one of West’s honour cards. It is now time for declarer to run five club winners. This will destroy North’s hand; it is impossible for North to keep stoppers in all three suits. Declarer has one spade, two heart and two diamond tricks before the club onslaught, Declarer will pick up the eleventh trick by carefully watching which of North’s suits is the most weakened.
Results, Monday, 02/06/25 (4 & 1/2-table Howell): J. Smith L. Munson (70.1) 1; N. Collins M. Simpson (61. 8) 2; J. Rose C. Hall (58.3) 3; P. Kelly N. McGinness (53.5) 4. Friday, (5-table Mitchell): N/S N. Collins N. Bonnell (60.9).1; P. Kelly D. Moran (60,0) 2. E/W T. Hinde J. Mobbs (61.8) 1; J. Rose N. McGinness (58.0) 2.
