The strong emphasis duplicate bridge places on overtricks can sometimes produce a result that would cause a nonduplicate player to shake his head in disbelief. A spectacular example is provided by today’s deal, which occurred in a national pairs event.

South reached six no-trump as shown, and West led the jack of spades. In rubber bridge, declarer would have no problem assuring the slam. He would simply establish dummy’s hearts, losing a trick to the queen along the way, and wind up with 12 tricks consisting of two spades, four hearts, three diamonds and three clubs.

But at duplicate, where making six might be a poor result if seven can be made, South cannot afford to settle for a mere 12 tricks. So when dummy came down, declarer immediately noted that if West held two, three or four hearts including the queen 13 tricks could be made by taking one or two heart finesses.

Accordingly, South won the first trick in his hand with the king of spades and led a heart to the ten, whereupon East, smoothly and in tempo, followed low! This had the desired effect on South, who quite understandably was convinced that the precious overtrick was just around the corner.

So he cashed dummy’s king of clubs to unblock the suit, crossed to the queen of diamonds and played the A-Q of clubs before leading a heart to the jack. One can only imagine South’s chagrin when East won with the queen and cashed the jack of clubs for down one!

Duplicate bridge is not for the faint of heart.

Tomorrow >> Famous Hand.

— Steve Becker