Monday, April
04, 2005 6:57 PM
Patterns
& Visualization
PITBULLS:
The
application of patterns for declarer play is an invaluable tool. Sometimes an
extra step of visualization within the patterns is necessary for a successful
conclusion. Two hands played by Tom Gandolfo in the CNTC zone finals drive this point home. You
are in 4♠
with this collection :
|
|
K |
A |
K |
x |
|
|
J |
|
J |
x |
|
|
9 |
|
x |
|
|
|
8 |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
The opponents get off to a
horrible lead for Tom , the spade Ace with partner showing out. They continue a
spade and it wins on the board. Now what ? There is a lot of work to do to come
to 10 tricks and the lead certainly did not help matters. Patterns to the
rescue . The diamond suit is 6 long so what are some probable patterns ?
6-4-3-0 is one that would work for us. Further visualization is necessary as
the diamond Ace must be in the 3 card side. You ruff a diamond and take out the
last spade to get to the board. You ruff another diamond and lead a heart. You
lead another diamond and the Ace falls ! You ruff a heart to get back to the
board and you score 5 trump tricks , 3 diamonds , a heart and a heart ruff for
10 tricks !!
|
Q |
J |
v |
Q |
|
10 |
10 |
o |
J |
|
x |
x |
i |
x |
|
x |
|
d |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
Tom
in action again . Everybody vul and Tom opens 1♣. LHO overcalls 4♠ and partner bids 4NT which
shows the red suits. Tom has xx void AJxx KQJ10xxx and
ignores his partners request for the red suits and bids 5♣ which gets doubled
by RHO. The spade Ace is lead and the board comes down with
|
x |
K |
K |
9 |
|
|
J |
Q |
x |
|
|
10 |
10 |
|
|
|
9 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
and LHO switches to a trump won
by the Ace and returned. Now what ? Patterns to the rescue again . You need a
heart trick for your contract so how do you go about it ? There is an 8 or 7 card spade suit lurking so a
double ruffing finesse in hearts looks like the best plan. With the club 9 as
an entry there is no hurry though. You ruff one heart low and draw the last
trump. You go to the board with one of your diamond entries and lead the heart
king covered by the Ace and eureka the queen falls . +750 for your side and
coupled with your teammates +800 at their table you win +17 IMPS .
|
x |
v |
A |
K |
|
x |
o |
J |
Q |
|
|
i |
x |
J |
|
|
d |
x |
10 |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
There is no hurry to take
the ruffing finesse too early. You give yourself an additional chance by
ruffing low. If the heart pattern was 6-5-2-0 with a doubleton queen you do not
need the other ruffing finesse. This is what happened.