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HOMEPAGE > QUIZ > HAMMAN'S TIPS > WEEK 44

Dealer : West
Vuln : Both
HAMMAN'S TIPS #44
by Bob Hamman
the world's #1 ranked player

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     North
   
    K J 8
    A K J 10 7 4 3
    A 6 2
West
10 8 6 4
10 9 6 5 2
Q 9
10 9
East You
J 9 7 3 2
A 7 4 3
8 5 2
5
 

   South
    A K Q 5
    Q
    6
    K Q J 8 7 4 3

The reason that I gave you only three seconds to
make your decision over 5 is that if you think too
long, and pass, partner will know that you paused
and will be ethically bound not to lead a heart.

This hand is from a USA team trials. At my table,
I defended against 6, and was minus 920. At the
other table, the contract was 7 with the auction
shown. South, my teammate, bid Blackwood on the
first round of the auction. His partner, North, then
risked a 7 bid, hoping that the missing ace was
in spades, or that West would lead a spade.

West did lead a spade, based on the fact that his
partner failed to double the 5 response to
Blackwood. He thought it was more likely to find
the ace of spades in the East hand than the ace of
hearts. Did you double 5 or pass? It's true that
the double would also alert North, and he would not
raise 6 to 7. So the board would be a push if you
doubled 5. The pass, however, turned out worse,
because West led a spade against the grand.

Perhaps East should double 7, but this double
calls for a diamond lead. It is possible that the
double will convince North to run to 7, to avoid
a diamond ruff, and then East will be on lead, but
this is farfetched. My advice is: Double the
Blackwood response when you want that suit led,
and don't worry about tipping off the opponents.

South

4NT
6

West
pass
pass
pass

North
1
5
7

East
pass
pass
all pass

Opening lead: 6

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