Sunday, December 27, 2009

The International Bridge Press Association gives out various awards each year for well-played or well-bid deals. In 1998, this deal won an award for Best Play By a Junior. The winner was Igor Grzejdziak of Poland.
                Dummy
♠ K 10 7 4
♥ A K Q 8
♦ 7 4 3
♣ 9 5
You
♠ Q 9 8 6
♥ J 4 3
♦ J 10 6
♣ A Q 4

North opened a Polish club, South bid 1♥, North raised to 2♥ and South bid 4♥.

West led the ♠8 (third-best from even, low from odd). Declarer played low from dummy, East followed with the ♠2 and declarer the 3. What would you do now?

At the table, West continued with the ♠6. Here are all four hands:

♠ K 10 7 4
♥ A K Q 8
♦ 7 4 3
♣ 9 5
♠ Q 9 8 6 ♠ J 2
♥ J 4 3 ♥ 10 7
♦ J 10 6 ♦ Q 8 5
♣ A Q 4 ♣ K J 8 6 3 2
♠ A 5 3
♥ 9 6 5 2
♦ A K 9 2
♣ 10 7

Declarer Grzejdziak had made a terrific deceptive play. He took the jack with his ace and drew three rounds of hearts. Next he finessed in spades and threw a club loser on the fourth spade.

Before you criticize West, cashing the ♣A could have been a catastrophe on a different layout.

2 comments:

  1. Aah, those pesky Poles who are so good at bridge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poland has some of the top players in the world. Their youth program is second to none.

    ReplyDelete