Sometimes Your Luck Is Good

//Sometimes Your Luck Is Good

Beltan Tonuk thought his side could beat the preemptive 5D bid by East, but he decided he would rather try for the vulnerable game in hearts — a bit aggressive perhaps, but certainly reasonable. North, with good controls, thought slam was a real possibility, so he bid it.

Dlr: East   Vul: Both   IMPs

North
S K Q J 8 2
H K 8 5
D 7 4
C A 9 2
West
S 10 7 4 3
H A 7
D —
C Q J 10 8 7 5 3
East
S 9 6
H 2
D A Q J 10 8 5 3 2
C K 6
South
S A 5
H Q J 10 9 6 4 3
D K 9 6
C 4

 

WestNorthEastSouth
5D5H
pass6Hall pass

When the dummy was tabled, Beltan saw that he was off two cashable aces – but West had led a club, not a diamond! Apparently West was void in diamonds, which meant Beltan had a chance. If West had the trump ace, the defenders would never be able to get their diamond trick.

Beltan led a trump and West won, as Beltan had hoped. When West was forced to return a non-diamond, Baltan claimed for plus 1430 and 14.23 IMPs.

About the Author:

Harold Schogger has just celebrated 40 years of bridge teaching. He opened his bridge club in Hendon London in 1983. Since 1997 he has devoted his time to teaching and directing.He holds the Professional Teachers’ Diploma from the English Bridge Union, and now trains teachers for the EBU. He is also a member of the International Bridge Press Association. Harold is the author of Practice Your Rule of 11 and the ebook Bridge for Winners.Harold has been an OKbridge member since 1997. You can see his valuable blog posts here under the category Bridge Hand Review. Harold is also a Premier Life Master.

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