11 June 2012

How to win a pairs event

Or at least how to get pushed into game and make it. Last weekend I played two tournaments with regular commentator James. We won the pairs with two sessions in the mid fifties separated by a 68% monster in the middle.

Here's an example of the sort of hand that usually breeds a story:

A 8 6 4
Q 8 3
T 9 6 4
8 7

SouthWestNorthEast
- - 1 Pass
1 2 3 Pass
Pass 4 Pass Pass
?

Horrible. West bid 4♣ confidently, like it's a certain thing. We're green though and that means if the opponents forget to double we can safely go down two! Lets try:

K Q T 9
7 6 2
A K Q 8 2
J
J 2
K T 9
J
A K Q T 6 4 2
7 5 3
A J 5 4
7 5 3
9 7 3
A 8 6 4
Q 8 3
T 9 6 4
8 7

A♣, K, A, end. Not sparkling defense but ten tricks and a bunch of matchpoints.



But what say you pick up this:

K 8
A K 9 8
T 4 3
T 8 7 6

And the auction is slower and more tortuous:

SouthWestNorthEast
Pass Pass 1 Pass
1 1 2 2
X Pass 3 3
?

You doubled to invite but partner turned you down. The opponents push on and wanting to protect when we hold the balance a 'sacrifice' in game looks like an option...

A 4
J T 4 2
K Q J 8 7
9 2
Q T 7 5 3
7 5
9
A Q J 5 3
J 9 6 2
Q 6 3
A 6 5 2
K 4
K 8
A K 9 8
T 4 3
T 8 7 6

On a spade lead all that needs to work is a heart finesse and ten more tricks roll home. Sometimes you just can't bid to the right spot without a little help from you friends. And after all if your opponents played perfectly there would be no chance of getting a trinket like this.


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