| This is really "neat" hand - a terrific example of Team play and determination to place the Spade Queen on the player with the low score. It was the Semi-Finals of a winner (only) advance Tournament. The scores were West - 71; South 79; North 94; and East 98. The pass was to the right, and after its completion, each player evaluated the prospects. West, with his eight point lead, held a gorgeous hand, and a "maximum potential" of four points. This was the "Optical Illusion"! North had a protected Spade Queen, but also held a borderline Heart suit, and absolutely awful Diamonds! East, in danger of losing, was in dire straights with a shaky Hearts of his own. And our friend South had plenty of distress with two very weak minor (Club and Diamond) suits. It seems that the only "happy camper" was West, and he eagerly awaited the Finals!
Fortunately, this was a high-level game, and South could count on his opponents to "aim" for the West player - if it was possible. With vulnerable scores, North and East would have to show great powers of restraint. The Club deuce was led, and North immediately tossed the Diamond King, as East dropped the nine, and South carefully played the ten. Spades seemed to be a safe and logical alternative. However, South had to consider that North or East might have held the Queen, and driving her out would end the game! Secondly, since North was void of Clubs, this suit had to be resolved. Yes, there was a risk that cashing high Clubs could fetch the Spade Queen - especially if West was void after the first round. Further analysis however, indicated that West probably held at least a few more Clubs (otherwise East was marked with a seven or eight card suit). Accordingly, South led the Ace and King of Clubs, as West dropped the Jack and five, and North correctly tossed his Queen and Jack of Diamonds. This was much better choice than breaking the Heart suit or dumping the Spade Queen. (East pitched the eight and seven of Clubs). South now wondered why the three of Clubs had not appeared, and boldly continued with the Queen, and was quite pleased to see the "missing" three (from West). North persisted with clearing his last Diamond, and East dumped his six.
With phase one completed, South now paused for thought. North had unloaded a bad suit; otherwise had he held the low "exit" cards in Diamonds, he would have discarded Hearts. If West held long Spades with the Queen, the Diamond suit was a big concern, especially without the bottom three spots. Therefore, the Ace of Diamonds was placed on the table, and South was ecstatic to see the four from East! West followed with the nine and North let go of his Heart Ace (this appeared to be "hoggy", but the score of 94 points had to be considered.) If the Diamond four was a singleton, all was perfect!
The seven of Diamonds was ducked with the three, as North released his Heart nine, and East dumped his Heart Queen. The Diamond six was ducked with the two, as North and East tossed two more high Hearts. And pay dirt was struck when the five of Diamonds snagged the eight and North now released his carefully preserved Queen of Spades, as East gleefully tossed his last Heart! West now tried the five of Hearts, and it was worth three more points, as North and South ducked with the four and three accordingly. The Heart deuce was taken by South's Jack, and the carnage was complete when West was forced to take the eight of Hearts with the King. The rest of the play was irrelevant. South went on to win this Round after the next hand. This was Team play at it finest!
Oh yes! Did you spot the most unusual feature of this hand? The SPADE suit was never led until the twelfth trick; making this hand unique to itself! | |
