Bridge Today
Daily Column
Issue #67 -
Aug 28
Preview
West dealer
Both vul
West (you)
J 8 5 3 2
9
Q J 7 4
Q 10 6
West North East South
pass pass 1C pass
1S dbl pass 3H
pass 4H dbl (all pass)
You are West.
What is your
opening lead?
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Bridge
Yesterday
by Matthew
Granovetter
A Little
Opening Lead Problem
Today's hand
was played near the conclusion of the 1969 Team Trials, to select the USA
International team for the Bermuda Bowl. The Aces (Hamman-Lawrence,
Jacoby-Wolff, Goldman-Eisenberg) defeated Soloway-Halee, Walsh-Swanson by a
score of 423 to 282 over the course of 180 boards!
West dealer
Both vul
North
9
A J
7 3
A
10 9 6 5 3
J 9
West
East
J 8 5 3 2 A K 6
9
K 8 6 4
Q J 7 4
8 2
Q 10 6 K 8 4 3
South
Q
10 7 4
Q
10 5 2
K
A 7
5 2
West North East South
Swanson
Wolff Walsh Jacoby
pass pass 1C pass
1S dbl pass 3H
pass 4H dbl (all pass)
Opening lead:
C6
Jim Jacoby
(South) ducked East's CK. Dick Walsh (East) cashed one high spade and reverted
to clubs. Jacoby won the ace, then came a spade ruff, diamond to the king, club
ruff, ace of diamonds, diamond. Walsh ruffed with the king and returned a
trump, but Jacoby had seven trump tricks, two diamonds and a club.
The killing
opening lead....the H9. Killing indeed. If declarer goes up with the ace to
lead a black card, he takes five trump tricks and three minor-suit tricks --
down two. If declarer finesses in hearts, trying to maintain control, East wins
and returns a trump. East gets in again to lead another trump, holding declarer
to four trump tricks and down three!
At the other
table, North played 4H against a spade lead and made 10 tricks easily.
Did you lead a
trump, based on partner's penalty double and your strong diamond holding?
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Bridge Today
Digest Daily is edited by Pamela and Matthew Granovetter
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