Novice Declarer Problem of the Month
March, 2000
This hand occurred in the Friday afternoon Open Pairs at the 2000 Blue Hen Sectional in Wilmington, Delaware.
MPs
Dealer: North
Vulnerable: N-S
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NORTH  T 3 T 9 8 5 4 9 6 4 K 9 5 |
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SOUTH A Q 4 A K 6 T 8 5 A Q T 2 |
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| AUCTION | |||
| NORTH | EAST | SOUTH | WEST |
| Pass | Pass | 1 |
2 |
| Pass | Pass | 2N | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
A word about the bidding: You open 1, planning to jump to 2N to show a balanced 18-19 HCPs. West
muddies the waters by bidding a preemptive 2, which shows a 6-card suit and 5-10 HCPs. You bid 2N and
everyone passes.
West leads the 2. East wins with the Q and shifts
to the 8; you play low and are pleased to see West play the
K. West continues with a diamond to East's king. East plays a third diamond to West's jack, and West
then cashes the A--you discard small hearts from each hand, East also pitching a heart. West exits with
the 7. You cash a second high heart, and West pitches a small spade.
You have seven sure tricks (2 spades, 2 hearts, and 3 clubs), with a chance for an eigth trick coming from the club suit. All you have to do is get the club
suit right.
Plan the play.