Significant Spots

By Lars Blankset, Denmark

Do you pay attention to the seemingly insignificant low cards? They played a part on two deals from the Round 9 Rosenblum match between Peter Hecht-Johansen and Roy Welland. The Americans led the F-group in front of PHJ and both teams were safe – so only pride was a stake. Alas, pride sometimes comes before a fall!

Board 3. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
	♠ K 9 8 6 ♥ Q 9 7 3 ♦ J 10 9 4 ♣ 3
♠ 5 ♥ A ♦ A 8 7 6 2 ♣ A K 10 9 7 5		♠ Q J 7 4 2 ♥ K 6 2 ♦ K Q 3 ♣ 8 4
	♠ A 10 3 ♥ J 10 8 5 4 ♦ 5 ♣ Q J 6 2

Open Room

West	North	East	South
Welland	Nielsen	Fallenius	Blakset
			Pass
1♣	Pass	1♥*	Dble
2♦	3♥	3NT	All Pass

The opening lead was the four of hearts. Declarer won with dummy's ace and cashed the ace of clubs, three, four, six.

Taking his eye off the ball, instead of crossing to dummy with a diamond to play a club to the nine, declarer cashed the king of clubs and when North discarded and the diamonds broke 4-1 the contract was two down for –200.

Closed Room

West	North	East	South
Blakset	Martel	Hecht-Johansen	Stansby
			Pass
1♣	Pass	1♠	Pass
2♦	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♦	Pass	4♦	Pass
4♥	Pass	5♦	All Pass

Here North found the only lead to beat the contract, a spade. After South had won with the ace he switched to a heart. Declarer won with the ace, took the king and queen of diamonds followed by the ace and king of clubs – the same –200.

Board 5. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
	♠ K 8 6 5 ♥ Q J 9 6 3 ♦ 8 3 ♣ 10 2
♠ 7 3 ♥ A ♦ A Q J 10 7 4 ♣ J 8 7 5		♠ Q J 10 2 ♥ 10 ♦ K 6 2 ♣ A K Q 6 4
	♠ A 9 4 ♥ K 8 7 5 4 2 ♦ 9 5 ♣ 9 3

Open Room

West	North	East	South
Welland	Nielsen	Fallenius	Blakset
	Pass	1♣	1♥
2♣*	4♥	4NT	Pass
6♦	All Pass

The lead was the six of spades (third and fifth) for the queen, ace and three. From South's point of view which is more likely – that declarer would bid Six Diamonds with ♠K3 and a low heart or with his actual holding? (Would declarer have bid a slam with only one first round control? Editors)

You might expect declarer to play the seven of spades with this holding, but Roy admitted that he did not have the time to check the lead and play the 'right' card in tempo, so he was very ethical and just played a quick card. When South switched to a heart declarer could claim twelve tricks. @Room:Closed Room

West	North	East	South
Blakset	Martel	Hecht-Johansen	Stansby
	Pass	1♣	1♥
2♦	3♥	3♠	Pass
5♣	All Pass

Here North led a heart and again declarer made twelve tricks.