The Prize

West found an unfortunate spade lead, which had disasterous matchpoint consequences. Moxie, my partner, won in hand and played the ♦ A and, noting East's ♦ J, ducked a diamond, West winning. West made another fateful mistake, playing off two top hearts. He then exited with the ♣ Q, won in dummy.

Moxie crossed to hand with the ♥ Q, and lead another diamond, West playing his king. West exited the ♣ J, won by declarer. The damage was already done.

Moxie scored three spades, one heart, two diamonds, and two clubs, for eight tricks.

How much did that one trick gain? Here are the results from the board:

(1)         3H        N       -3   -300             0.0%
(2)         3H        N       -2   -200             3.5%
(3)         2D        S       -1   -100             8.9%
(4)         3NT       N       -1   -100             8.9%
(5-6)       1NT       W       +1    -90            14.3%
(7-11)      2D        N       +2    +90            26.8%
(12-14)     1NT       W       -1   +100            46.4%
(15-16)     2S        W       -1   +100            46.4%
(17-21)     2D        N       +3   +110            67.8%
(22)        2H        N       +2   +110            67.8%
(23)        3D        N       +3   +110            67.8%
(24)        1NT       S       +2   +120            82.1%
(25)        1NT-X     W       -1   +200            92.9%
(26-27)     2S        W       -2   +200            92.9%
(28)        2S-X      W       -1   +200            92.9%
(29)        2NT       W       -2   +200            92.9%

That one trick moved us from +90, or 27%, to +120, or 82%.