A Pretty Defense – Semfinals US Trials

Lall and Grue combined to win 6 imps on this “little” hand.  Let’s follow the action from Lall’s point of view.  He was playing against Rodwell and Meckstroth.  Nobody was vulnerable and he was in first chair.

He opened 1♦ .  Meckstroth overcalled 1♠ and his partner bid 2♥ which was quite pleasing.  Rodwell continued 3♣ .  What would you bid?  Even though he doesn’t have a lot of points his hand has a lot of playing strength in hearts.  So he jumped to the heart game.  Meckstroth persisted with 5♣ which Rodwell converted to 5♠ .  Grue doubled 5♠ .  Grue led the ♦ Q and this is what Lall saw.

Lall ♠ 4 ♥ J953 ♦ AKJ842 ♣ J7
	Rodwell ♠ QJ9732 ♥ 4 ♦ 107 ♣ AK63

He overtook with the ♦ K and played another top diamond as both followed.  Now what?

……………………………………

He made a very nice play.  He led the ♥ J.  It couldn’t cost to lead the jack and it might gain.  When he played the ♥ J Grue played the ♥ 10.  This suggested suggesting he wanted a shift.  Lall read this perfectly and played another diamond.  Here is the whole deal.

Dealer: Vul:	Meckstroth ♠ A10865 ♥ 7 ♦ 963 ♣ Q982
Lall ♠ 4 ♥ J953 ♦ AKJ842 ♣ J7		Grue ♠ K ♥ AKQ10862 ♦ Q5 ♣ 1054
	Rodwell ♠ QJ9732 ♥ 4 ♦ 107 ♣ AK63

This allowed Grue to make his ♠ K for 2 down and +300.  At the other table the hand was played by South.  So maybe it was harder to defend with a different dummy.  The contract was also not doubled (a double is hardly clearcut).  The defense, started the same but the West hand returned a routine low heart at trick three and that was the end of the defense.  Down 1 plus 50.

I enjoyed watching this deal.  Well done.