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Overtricks

The following hand took place on Sunday, October 8 at the Akron Sectional Open Pairs. The event is Matchpoints where you want to take as many tricks as you can. Overtricks are very important. The contract is 3NT on a simple auction of 1NT - 3NT. The opening lead is the Jack of Hearts, which you win in your hand with the Queen. You cash the top diamonds and they break 3 - 3 so you have 4 diamond tricks. What is the play to make the most tricks?Plan your play before you look at the answer.
(Clue - Count your tricks)This was Board # 17.

Answer:

If you count your tricks, you will see that you have 4 Diamonds,4 Clubs,1 Spade and 1 Heart. That is 10 tricks for sure. There are two ways you can find the 11th trick:
finesse Spades twice(75% play - only 1 of 4 times the K and Q are behind the South hand) or trust the opening leader. The lead of the Jack surely promises the 10(maybe the Ace too). The Heart play is the best matchpoint play. Play the Heart 4 toward dummy. If West plays small, put in the 9 which on Sunday forces the Ace. Thus your 11th Trick!!! Finessing Spades twice did not work - West's Spades were KQ4.( Be sure to save a Club entry to Dummy before making this play.)

Previous Hints and Tips from Dick Early

August 2005 - Over Bidding
September 2005 - Who's Lead Is It?
October 2005 - Hand Evaluation
November 2005 - Responding to Take-out Doubles
December 2005 - Plan Your Play
April 2006 - Cover or Not Cover
June 2006 - 11 Tricks, 12 Tricks, 13 Tricks
August 2006 - 3 Card Support