15/7/2008 - THE SPADES HALL OF FAME
This most extraordinary hand was observed during the Playoff Rounds in the Zone for the Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifier (February 1999). West opened with a Nil bid, which had a very high percentage probability. The only risk was the spade nine; however, the low spots offered excellent discarding opportunities. North came in with a very sound bid of five (especially after the Nil call). East decided to go for the win with a three bid, as he calculated that 130 points would be sufficient. South took the safety of a three bid of his own. (Bidding any higher than four would have been inane!) It was quite obvious that a set of the Nil was in order, as the East bid appeared to be a sure thing. It came down to a very tense ending, and East, with victory in his grasp fumbled the ball at the goal line!
West led the diamond six to East’s King and South’s seven. The diamond Ace now appeared, and it was followed by the nine, Jack and the spade seven (ruff) by North. The Ace of hearts was cashed, as East played the deuce, and South dropped the King. West’s heart suit was safe, and he happily threw the seven. The four of hearts fetched South’s Queen, as East and West pitched low spot cards. Now South dropped the nine of clubs on the table, as West followed with the four, while North played the King, and East deposited the five. The Ace of clubs drew the eight, the seven (completing the “high-low” signal), and the Queen from a very happy West.
The club ten was covered by the Jack, as South ruffed with the spade King — a very farsighted play. The diamond Queen was a logical choice, as West had to play low, and North trumped rather extravagantly with the Ace of spades. (East discarded a low heart). The six of clubs drew another heart discard from East, as South ruffed with the trump Queen and West tossed his last club. The ten of diamonds extracted West’s last spot card, and North trumped with his spade ten, which forced an underuff by East. (The spade Jack had to be saved for possible protection for his partner.) This fascinating position had been reached:
The innocent-looking layout has a devilish trap. Do you see the danger after North leads any heart? In any case here is what happened:
The heart Jack was correctly trumped with the spade four. Had East ruffed high, South would have ditched his eight of trump, transposing to the actual outcome. Now South properly released the diamond eight, as West was forced to play the trump two. East found himself at the crossroads and decided that the natural play of spade Jack was quite irresistible. After all, who could have argued with logic? He later said that he was afraid that the lead of the five might have pinned a trick on his partner — but he did not analyze the actual possibilities. Had West held the NINE and EIGHT of trump, the hand was lost anyway; If South actually held the NINE and EIGHT of trump, then it did not matter which card he (East) led. Therefore, the scenario of these two specific trump DIVIDED between the West and South hands had to be considered. Since it was obvious that West would not have bid Nil with a suspect spade suit, he had to hold reasonably safe trump and the SIX was probably in his hand as well. Thus the Jack would allow South to unload his high spade!
It is truly amazing how much analysis can be wrung out of this seemingly basic position!
Therefore, the unusual lead of the spade five was clearly indicated. (Then the Jack picks up the nine at the end.) The five forces the eight from South, and allows West to unblock his six. Reverse the nine and eight, and if South holds the nine, this permits West to discard his eightspot.
The premature lead of the Jack is the”kiss of death” to West, as it smothers both the nine and eight and promotes the lowly six to a winner!
Poor East! He worked so hard — only to become an unexpected ally to North and South — and helped to break his partner’s Nil! Did he “crack” under the pressure? Perhaps his impulse to make the “text” play can be forgiven. After all, would you have led the FIVE in the critical position?
I hope that you have enjoyed this book, and improved your game. I want to thank the many contributors of ideas, suggestions, and material for the Revised Edition. If you have any comments or want to inquire about the Tournaments and the National Card Players’ Organization, please contact me at this e-mail address: heartsmoon@aol.com. Good luck at your next online or live Tournament!
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