<< Hope Springs Eternal Interesting Bridge Hands An Even Break >>

Counting It Out

North Deals
E-W Vul
IMPs
K J 9 3
A K 10 9
A
K J 10 4
A Q 7 4
Q 6 5
10 8
A 8 5 2
West North East South
1 Pass 1
Pass 4 Pass 5
Pass 5 NT Pass 7
All Pass

This is not a great slam, depending on me guessing the Q. I sought to find out all I could before making that guess.
I cashed the A, cashed three rounds of trumps, East showing up with two. I then ran three hearts, East showing up with two.
Figuring many Easts would find a call over 1 holding seven diamonds, I figured West started with four or more diamonds, along with his three spades and four hearts. Therefore, he probably had two or fewer clubs. That meant that the odds favored East holding the Q.
For once the odds were right for me:
K J 9 3
A K 10 9
A
K J 10 4
10 6 2
J 8 3 2
K 6 5 3
9 6
8 5
7 4
Q J 9 7 4 2
Q 7 3
A Q 7 4
Q 6 5
10 8
A 8 5 2
Making was worth 11 Imps, down one would have been -12.7 Imps.
<< Hope Springs Eternal
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1995-2009.
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