Jettison

Playing in a regional Swiss Teams against questionable opponents, I pick up
 S:J843 H:3 D:KQ107 C:QJ84
Dealer, on my left, opens 1NT (15-17), and partner butts in with 2D:. We play that 2D: shows the majors, so I duly alert and explain. RHO passes, and I bid 2S:. I know that game might be cold, but our style over strong notrumps is to bid often to fight for the part score and not worry too much about game. Even 2S: could be too high. Everyone yawns and I get to play it.

As partner puts down the dummy, he says, ``I thought 2D: shows four spades, five hearts, and 11-15 points. Aren't we playing Flannery?'' I can tell that he's just being silly, but he does put down a fine dummy, perhaps too much.

S: AK65
H: Q10972
D: AJ3
C: 6
S: J843
H: 3
D: KQ107
C: QJ84
The defense starts with the C:K, shifts to the H:K, and continues with a low diamond. Given that we have 23 points, it is possible that East has either the H:J, S:Q, or both, but could have none of them. I have four diamond tricks, one club trick (the finesse must be working) and six trump tricks if I can cash everything. They, however, have the two Kings and a possible trump trick. Since nothing rates to break horribly, I start by winning the diamond in hand, perforce with the Ten since East plays the Eight. I take the club finesse, covered, and ruffed. If trumps are 3-2, I can claim ten tricks, so I cash the top spades. West drops the Queen on the second one. Do I have play for 11 tricks, now? I need to ruff another club in dummy and draw trumps. That takes two entries to hand. I have them, but it will block diamonds. That's of no matter if they break 3-3, and I do not see any other way to eleven tricks, so I shall proceed. Heart ruff, club ruff, diamond (all follow, phew) to the King, trump Jack, lefty pitching the H:J. Hmmm. This leaves:
S: ---
H: Q10
D: A
C: ---
S: ---
H: ---
D: Q7
C: J
It looks like the 1NTer had two spades, four hearts, and either four clubs and three diamonds or three clubs and four diamonds. I have her either way! When I cash the C:J, she nonchalantly pitches a diamond and gets ready to claim the last trick with the H:A. Surprise! I jettison the D:A from the table and claim myself with two good diamonds. Very pretty---even partner was impressed.
Copyright © 1992 Jeff Goldsmith