Here is a hand I enjoyed playing from our first-round loss in the Spingold. I was in 3C with
963 6542 QJ K873
KT54 7 K5 AQJ962
on the uncontested auction 1C-1D!(hearts)-1S-2C-3C. I considered the 3C bid very close; apparently at the other table they thought a long time and passed. Anyway, it’s nice to see the opponents can make 4D and probably 4H. Could I make 3C? They led a heart to the A and the DA. I dropped the DK in case I needed the entry; since I did this in tempo, I guess they were afraid I was 4-2-1-6 and they fatally played a second heart. I ruffed with the 9, played a diamond to dummy for a heart ruff, and played the CQ to the K, very pleased when lefty had stiff T. I could claim now; I eliminated the last heart with a high ruff, crossed to the C8 pulling the last trump, and led a spade planning to cover
The result was a 1-imp pickup when our teammates didn’t get in the auction either and were -90.
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The actual right way to play: I should use my trump entry before the diamond entry. This works just as well when the T drops, but leaves me better placed when it doesn't to make against both A onside and Qx or Jx onside, because I find out the trump position earlier. Work it out.
2 comments:
You played the contract nicely, then realized you could have improved. That's why bridge is such an amazing game.
Yes, there is always room to improve! I can hardly point to any sessions ever without a bid or play I would like back; so another challenge is to enjoy and not torture oneself. I liked your line in today's blog about bridge players looking "like they are having root canals." :-0 I know I look like that once in a while, I have to remember to enjoy!
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