I was a bit anxious about my weak overcall on this week’s hand, but I decided to risk it because of the quality of my suit.
Both vulnerable, Dealer West
West led his singleton heart and I won dummy’s ace. I played the king of clubs from the dummy and West won his ace. He switched to the queen of diamonds to East’s ace and East cashed the king of hearts before continuing with a small heart.
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It was tempting to discard on this trick, thus pretty much guaranteeing going only one down, but I decided to give it a go!
I ruffed with the nine of spades, ruffed a club, came back to the king of diamonds and ruffed another club. I ruffed a heart with the ten of spades, ruffed a club with the ace of spades and now drew trumps and, when they were 2-2, claimed my game.
Can you see how the defence should have done better? With such strong minor-suit holdings and East having bid hearts (showing a five-card suit in their methods), a trump lead should have been clear for West. Leading the singleton in his partner’s suit was not fatal, but when he got in with the ace of clubs he should have switched to a trump. Then when East gained the lead, with either a heart or the ace of diamonds, he could have led a second trump. Now there would be no way for me to make more than nine tricks.
Last week's problem
Both vulnerable, Dealer South
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It is very unusual for partner to pass out a one-level take-out double. He must have excellent trumps. Lead a trump and try to stop declarer making his small trumps. On a spade lead he will make just four tricks. If you lead a diamond first he will make five.