Eastern States (1)

The Eastern States Regional is done. I had a moderately successful time, gaining between 10 and 11 gold points. According to my calculations, though, I failed in the main mission. I am not yet a life master, needing a further 0.1 gold points – very frustrating.

More on that later, but first here are some questions that came up in IMP games with Agent 99. Nothing too difficult, but big swings depend on getting them right.

A) 
Game N-S, dealer South
♠ A J 9 8
♥ K 6
♦ K J 9 7 5 
♣ J 5

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♠ Q 7 5 4
♥ A Q 5
♦ Q 10 3
♣ K Q 4

S    W    N    E
1NT  Pass 2♣   Pass
2♠   Pass 4♠   All Pass

Trick one was the ♦6 to East’s ♦A, and the return was ♦4. Now what do you do? It seems fairly clear to play trumps, and if you win the ♦Q and lead a small spade, West produces ♠10. Does that change anything?

B)
Game All, dealer East

E    S    W    N  
1♥   Pass 2♦   Pass
2♥   Pass 4♥   Pass
6♥   All pass

South holds:

♠ K J 6 5 4
♥ 6 5 4
♦ 10 7 2
♣ 8 2

What’s your opening lead?

C)
Game All, dealer West
♠ K 4 3
♥ 4
♦ Q 9 7 
♣ A Q J 9 6 5 

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♠ Q 10 6 2
♥ A K J 6 5 2
♦ K 8
♣ 4

W    N    E    S
2♦   3♣   3♦   3♥
Pass 3NT  Pass 4♥
All Pass

Trick one is the ♦A on which East drops ♦10. West looks at this for a long time, then switches to the ♠5. East wins the ♠A, and returns ♠9 which West ruffs with the ♥7. Now a small diamond runs round to your ♦K. How do you take the rest?