California Capital Open Swiss Championships
June 2, 2002

Afternoon Session, Board 27

None Vul
S K Q 10 7 5 3
H J 4
D Q 9 5 3
C 2
S J 8 6 4 2
H
D 10 7 4
C Q J 9 8 5
[W - E] S
H A K 10 9 6 3 2
D A J 2
C K 6 3
S A 9
H Q 8 7 5
D K 8 6
C A 10 7 4

At my table, the auction was:

West

Pass
Pass
Pass
North

1 S
2 S
Pass
East

2 H(1)
4 H(2)
Pass
South
1 C
Pass
Dbl
1. perhaps a better alternative is to double here
2. taking a flyer

Yeah, I know the auction was kind of silly. Playing in 4H doubled, South led the SA which I ruffed. I played HA-K-10, losing to South's queen. South returned a spade which I ruffed. After drawing the last trump (leaving me with just one trump), I led the CK followed by a club to the queen (South is forced to duck). The D10 was then led from dummy, covered by the queen and ace. Then I led a low club, which South must win (or else I have 10 tricks), but now he is endplayed because he is out of spades. +590 to our side.

At the other table, Adam and Greg, playing Recursive Diamond, had the following auction:

West

Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
North

1 D(2)
2 S(4)
4 S(5)
East

1 H
3 H
Pass
South
1 C(1)
1 NT(3)
Pass
Pass
1. 11-16 3-suited, 13-15 balanced, or 11-15 with both minors
2. 6-13, any distribution
3. 13-15 balanced with heart stopper
4. signoff (playing LIPS notrump structure)
5. Guess I was just kidding about the signoff.

Another silly auction. Against 4S, East led the HA and a heart which West ruffed. West returned a diamond to East's ace and then East led the HK. Oops! Adam ruffed and picked up the trump suit for no more losers, emerging with 6 spades, 2 diamonds, 1 club, and the queen of hearts for 10 tricks. +420 to our side. (Because the diamonds are 3-3, it turns out that 4S is making even if East does not lead the HK at trick 3. A defense that beats the contract is to lead HA-K, West pitching 2 diamonds, then DA followed by diamond ruff.... or even just cash top hearts and wait for diamond and trump tricks.)

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