Poisoned Kiss

Dan Catone – Romania

Australia’s Barbara McDonald produced great technique on this deal from the match against Romania in Round 13 of the Seniors.

Board 8. Dealer West. None Vul.
	ª Q 4 © A 9 6 5 ¨ A 5 4 3 § A 7 4
ª A 10 9 7 © K J 10 4 3 ¨ 9 2 § K Q		ª J 5 3 2 © 8 7 2 ¨ 10 7 § J 10 8 5
	ª K 8 6 © Q ¨ K Q J 8 6 § 9 6 3 2

West	North	East	South
Doremans	Walsh	Trouwborst	McDonald
1©	Pass	Pass	2¨
Pass	2©*	Pass	3§
Pass	5¨	All Pass

West decided to lead the jack of hearts.

Apparently declarer has three losers, but Barbara played small from dummy and the jack received the poisoned kiss of the queen of hearts. Now declarer drew trumps in two rounds ending in dummy, cashed the ace of hearts to pitch a club, played a spade to the queen and a spade. West could win and play a heart, but declarer ruffed, ruffed a spade and played the ace of clubs and a club to force West to concede a ruff and discard.

Bravo Barbara!