Apr 24 2010
Deceptions
| North Deals None Vul |
♠ K 9 6 ♥ J 2 ♦ J 10 3 ♣ A Q 10 7 4 |
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♠ Q 8 7 5 4
♥ 6 5 3 ♦ A Q 6 4 ♣ J |
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♠ 10 3 2
♥ A 9 4 ♦ K 8 2 ♣ 9 8 6 3 |
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| ♠ A J ♥ K Q 10 8 7 ♦ 9 7 5 ♣ K 5 2 |
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| 1 N by South |
I opened an 11-14 notrump in second seat and played it there. The lead was the spade five.
Lance and i are playing together in the Saturday morning local dups. We are by far the most experienced pair in the room. This is the third board of the day, and we’re off to a good start so far. Lance has chosen to be conservative with this hand – i probably would have invited. But that’s neither here nor there – my goal is to take as many tricks as possible.
1N is not in any danger. I have eight easy tricks for the taking right now, assuming the clubs break. But what about after that? I can set up hearts, but they will probably find the diamond switch if i run clubs first.
Can i convince them not to play diamonds? Playing a heart is risky, since diamonds could be 2-5 and then i’ll only take seven tricks, but if diamonds are 3-4 or 4-3 i’ll come out even. Or possibly ahead if the clubs aren’t running. Anyway, i think i see a way to convince them to continue spades…
I play the low spade from dummy and RHO inserts the ten. I win the Ace, concealing the Jack, which should convince both opponents that their partner holds that card. Continuing to be a little deceptive, i continue with the heart Queen from hand. RHO wins and continues hearts! That’s not what i was expecting, but it appears my slight deception in hearts worked instead. I win the heart in dummy, and start clubs with the Ace and another to the King. I run hearts, and then run the spade Jack. LHO does not cover, but i still have the little club to get to the board which is now good. 12 tricks claimed, +230 and two-thirds of the matchpoints.
RHO’s heart continuation was strange, but she probably did not expect me to have five hearts. Still, she can see the club suit in dummy and should be suspicious when i start working on the heart suit instead. A little thought might have led her to the diamond switch. The deception in spades was interesting, since it did not cost me a trick once RHO shows up with the Ten. I have read about plays where winning a trick unnecessarily high convinced opponents to take a losing line, but this is the first time i have taken advantage of this psychological ploy.
Despite our good start, we have a number of goofy things happen later and only manage 3rd. Oh well – we’ll be back next week.