Hand 61 — Strong 2C
Play this handThe Deal
North
♠
10 4 2
♥
A 9 4
♦
10 9 8 5
♣
A 10 7
West
♠
9 8 7 6 5
♥
J 7 3
♦
J 2
♣
8 6 2
East
♠
3
♥
K Q 8 6 5
♦
K 6 4
♣
9 5 4 3
South
♠
A K Q J
♥
10 2
♦
A Q 7 3
♣
K Q J
North: 8 HCP, 3-3-4-3 (bal)
East: 8 HCP, 1-5-3-4
South: 22 HCP, 4-2-4-3 (bal)
West: 2 HCP, 5-3-2-3 (bal)
Bidding Sequence
| E | S | W | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | 2C | Pass | 2D |
| Pass | 2S | Pass | 2NT |
| Pass | 3NT | Pass | Pass |
Final Comments
In no-trumps we count our winners before playing the hand out.
4 spades
1 heart
1 diamond
3 clubs
That is 9 tricks, contract safe.
East will most likely lead with a heart. Using the rule of 7, we need to duck the first 2 rounds.
It should then be safe to try a diamond finesse with the queen, for an extra trick.
As the cards lie, the finesse is successful, and we can make 4 diamond tricks, bringing out total to 11.
Planning
Rule of 7. (To be used in no-trumps)
In the suit of the opening lead, subtract the number of cards you plus dummy hold in that suit, from 7. The result is the number of times you should duck.
This usually rids the second opponent of any cards in that suit. As an example, if we have 2 spades in dummy, and 3 in hand, opponents have 8. 5/3 is a problem, but waiting for the 3rd round before taking the trick eliminates the threat of the opponent with only 3 cards.