Eleven Pipers Piping for Norm

On January fourth I was playing with my student Norm on BBO.  Norm is from Israel and had to go through the recent shelling in the war with Hamas.  Both Norm and I were glad when that was over.  He is a keen bridge player who wants to play but also asks to go practice in the bidding room because he wants to learn.  On this day we played a set of boards together and had one of those wonderful, perfect sets.  I was thrilled with how well Norm played and I know he was very excited about the set.

I was impressed with our bidding on this deal.  Congratulations Norm.  You deserve it.

Norm held

 

 

He was in first chair white against red.  The opponents were silent through the auction.  Norm opened 1♣  and I bid 1♥ .  Norm has a very good 16 points and I think my heart bid strengthens his hand somewhat.  In any case he is good enough to reverse and so he bid 2♦ .

I bid 3♣  which established a game force while supporting clubs.  Norm now made the very good bid of 3♥ .  In this auction I think this bid should show heart support and therefore his 1-3-4-5 shape.  I bid 4♣ .  I don’t think this bid denies a spade control since he has already shown a singleton.  I think it marks time and leaves room for finding a slam.

Even though Norm has good controls he really has already bid his hand.  So he signed off in 5♣ .  The opening lead was the ♠ 6 and this was what Norm saw.

 

3NT is a terrible contract on the obvious spade lead.  5♣  was a much better contract.  It was Norm’s job to make it.  You are going to be able to eventually trump your fourth diamond in dummy so the only likely loser outside trumps is a diamond.  So the question is, what is the best way to play the club suit for one loser.   You could play the ♣ A.  If either the ♣ K or the ♣ J falls you are safe.  If both follow with the two small spots you play up to the ♣ Q and will be safe unless the KJx lies over the queen.  This works on all 2-2 splits and on 3-1 splits except when East has the KJx.  You can even pick up the suit on 4-0 splits when West has the clubs although you will then have to work for your eleventh trick.  As it turns out this is one of the best ways to play for one loser —  and even better, it worked!

Here is the whole deal

 

 

 

A great contract.  Had Norm had two club losers he still had a slim chance.  He may have been able to pick up the diamond suit for no losers, probably playing for the queen and jack in the pocket.  Notice that 3NT will fail on the obvious spade lead.

Out of 16 pairs only two others reached the best contract of 5♣ .   Pipers please!