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Post Post Mortem

E/W Gerard-janiner
N/S dickfu-herbr

N/S Vul
MPs
Dealer: East
S Q 10 9 6
H K 7 5
D K 7 3
C K 8 3
Lead: D2
S K 8 5 4
H J 8 6
D 4
C 10 9 7 5 4
[W - E] S 7 3
H A 4 2
D Q J 10 9 6 5
C Q J
  S A J 2
H Q 10 9 3
D A 8 2
C A 6 2

West

Pass
Pass
Pass
North

1 S
3NT
Pass
East
Pass
2 D
4 D
Pass
South
1 D
2NT
Dbl

The opening diamond bid was Precision, showing fewer than 16 points and 2+ diamonds. Two diamonds is risky -- the responder is unlimited and opener may have a diamond suit -- but at least defensible at the favorable vulnerability. We shall discuss what four diamonds in a moment.

There is nothing to the play. Six tricks: four trumps, the SK and the HA. Gerard takes his six tricks for -800 and zero matchpoints. Then he apologizes to his partner -- for the play! One of the spectators points out that maybe the four diamond bid was the problem. "There was nothing wrong about my bidding," says Gee. "3NT is clearly cold...4D was a good bid, your insinuation is nasty at best."

One hates to insinuate nastily, and 3NT is indeed cold on a diamond lead. But on a club lead, which is plausible from the West hand, declarer has only eight tricks unless he finds the HJ, which is probable but by no means certain. In 4D West has five playing tricks. Partner needs to show up with two tricks to beat the actual result, and if she does then 3NT might go down as well.

© 2002-2003 by Aaron Haspel. All rights reserved.

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