Board  1 SET HAND 3 July 2008
Back Next Hand
North
S A  9
H A  K  T  8  7
D Q  J  8
C 6  4  2
West East
S Q  5  4  2 S K  J  T  6
H 9  6 H Q  J  5  4  3
D A  9  7  6  5 D T  2
C A  5 C K  3
S 8  7  3
H 2
D K  4  3
C Q  J  T  9  8  7
Lead:  6D South

Play Bidding
North should open a Heart. Almost all of the Souths' then bid 2C. which in turn forces North to bid 2H. The two Heart contract will go down by at least two sometimes three tricks. What went wrong? Well it was Souths'  bid of two clubs. To respond at the two level you need at least ten points. You only have six. The only available response is 1NT which a partner in the minimum point range and a balanced hand can pass. 1NT makes easily with two or three overtricks depending on the play. Declarer should tackle the club suit immediately and not run off the stops in the other suits doing the defense's job for them.
N E S W
1H P 1N AP


Copyright R Heathfield