May 03 2009
Feminine Wiles
Playing in the Swiss teams in Cincinnati, we are doing poorly. We haven’t won a match all day. We’re looking for a team we can beat. We draw an unhappy team with at least one player who has gotten disgusted and left, because our opponents are hurriedly discussing a system as they sit down to play against us.
In first seat, i hold Tx QJxx KQJx xxx. I pass and the gentleman on my left starts chatting. He wants to know where i’m from and if i’m in school, and if the fellow across from me is my boyfriend. He passes, partner passes and my RHO opens 1D. I pass, and the kindly gent is still talking and also passes. 1D becomes the final contract. Mr. Nice Guy realizes what he’s done now and says “Sorry, partner, i was distracted!” I lead the QH and dummy tables with:
 Qxx
|
 |
| Tx
|
xxx
63
KQT9xObviously, West should bid something. But he fell victim to my feminine wiles. I didn’t even realize i was wielding them!
Declarer plays a low heart off dummy and partner also plays low, declarer winning with the King. He plays Ace of clubs and a low club to dummy. He pitches a heart on the 3rd club as partner follows. Declarer plays a fourth club and partner ruffs with the 4D. Declarer overruffs with the 7 and i overruff with the J. I exit a heart and partner wins the Ace.
Partner exits with a small spade, declarer plays low, and i insert the T to force the Queen. Declarer plays the last club from dummy. Partner ruffs with the 5 and declarer pitches the heart ten, so i sluff my last spade. Partner leads a spade, and declarer plays the ace, which i ruff with the deuce. I play a heart, which is ruffed by the 6 in dummy, overruffed with the 8 by pard, and overruffed with the 9 by declarer. He now tries the king of spades, but i ruff with the Q. I play my last heart at trick 12 and partner ruffs with the Ace, and i score my KD at trick 13 for down 1.
What a fun defense! Declarer was 4432 with three shitty diamonds. I scored all four of my trumps, while partner scored two of his and the heart ace. Perhaps i should use my feminine charm more often.