As
South, playing against your arch-enemy (West), you pass the
first
two rounds, but the bidding suddenly puts you in the star's seat.
What
do you do over partner's second double? Do you pass,
bid
4 or 3NT?
South You A
8 5 2 9
8 5 K
9 5 2 7
3
South
—
pass
pass
?
West
—
2
pass
North
—
double
double
East
pass
3
pass
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
None
North — — — —
West — — — —
East — — — —
You
bid 3NT. A four-card suit at the four level doesn't appeal
to
you, and though you might pass, you would rather be in control
of
the
hand...after all, you are James Bond.
Besides,
West's kibitzer, who
is quite beautiful, gives you a quick,
secret smile.
South You A
8 5 2 9
8 5 K
9 5 2 7
3
South
—
pass
pass
3NT
West
—
2
pass
all pass
North
—
double
double
East
pass
3
pass
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
None
North — J
7 4 3 A
J 10 6 4 A
K Q J
West — — — —
East — — — —
West
leads the king of spades and you see:
How
will you play 3NT after the spade lead? It seems to boil
down
to
the diamonds. Where is the queen?
South You A
8 5 2 9
8 5 K
9 5 2 7
3
South
—
pass
pass
3NT
West
—
2
pass
all pass
North
—
double
double
East
pass
3
pass
Opening
lead: K
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
None
North — J
7 4 3 A
J 10 6 4 A
K Q J
West — — — —
East — — — —
You
throw a heart from dummy and win the ace (nice play, James).
Then
you cash four clubs before deciding on the diamonds. West
follows
to
all four clubs as East discards a spade.
You
now know 10 cards in the West hand (six spades and four clubs).
He's not likely to be void in hearts, so you cash the ace of diamonds
and everyone follows low. Then you lead the jack of diamonds and
East
follows low. Do you finesse or play for the drop?
South You A
8 5 2 9
8 5 K
9 5 2 7
3
South
—
pass
pass
3NT
West
—
2
pass
all pass
North
—
double
double
East
pass
3
pass
Opening
lead: K
Dealer
: East
Vulnerable:
None
North — J
7 4 3 A
J 10 6 4 A
K Q J
West K
Q 10 7 4 3 K 10 7 10
9 6 4
East J
9 6 A Q
6 2 Q 8
3 8
5 2
You
finesse. West may hold the queen, but with only two more
red
cards possible in the West hand, and seven red cards left in the
deck
(six hearts and one diamond), the odds favor that both red cards
will
be hearts.
Good
news: At the end of the hand, West's kibitzer slips you the
key
to her room.
Bad
news: West notices and reaches inside his jacket pocket.
Be quick!
THE
END
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—
—
—
—
East
