HOMEPAGE > QUIZ > HAMMAN'S TIPS > WEEK 10

Dealer : North
Vuln : Both
HAMMAN'S TIPS #10
by Bob Hamman
the world's #1 ranked player

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     North
    5 4 2
    A 4 3
    Q 8 6
    K 8 5 3
West
K Q 10 8 6
J 2
J 7 4
A J 4
East
J 9 7
9 6
K 10 5 3 2
Q 10 6
 

   South
    A 3
    K Q 10 8 7 5
    A 9
    9 7 2

OK, I overbid (a bit). First thought: If the king of diamonds
and ace of clubs are both onside, I have 10 tricks by
attacking diamonds. Second thought: West has the
king-queen of spades, so East has the king of diamonds
or ace of clubs, and it had better be the king of diamonds,
else I have no chance.

So I decided to set up a club trick. I ducked the lead.
If West switched to diamonds, it would probably help me,
setting up a diamond trick (see my 8 and 9 of diamonds).
West continued spades. At trick three I led the 7 of clubs
and floated it to the 10. I was now cold, because East held
the diamond king. He shifted to a diamond, a good play if
his partner held the ace and I held the ace of clubs. But
my queen won and that was the end of the ball game.

The kibitzer told me afterwards that West could defeat the
contract by playing the jack of clubs on the 7. I can't duck
it, or West may shift to diamonds. So I win the king, come
back to my hand and lead the 2 of clubs. Then West hops
up with the ace to play a diamond (that'll be the day).
Whereupon I challenged the kibitzer to 60 deals at a
dollar a point, choose your partners. He declined.

My tip: In an aggressive contract, you must play for the
cards to lie well for you, but don't forget to take the auction
into account.

South
-
1
4

West
-
1
all pass

North
pass
2
 

East
pass
2
 


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