This deal from Round 1 nearly slipped through the net.
West led the [H]3 and declarer won with the [H]5, took two more rounds of the suit ending in dummy and played a spade for the queen and king, West switching to the [D]10. Declarer won in hand, drew the outstanding trump and played a spade to the nine, establishing a tenth trick when that forced the ace, +420.
West led the more challenging [D]10 and declarer won with the king and cashed the [H]Q disclosing the 4-0 break when East discarded the [D]4. Appreciating that drawing trumps would man that the contract would probably rest on the location of the [C]K declarer turned his attention to spades, leading the queen, which West won to play a second diamond. Declarer won in dummy, played a heart to the ace and a second spade, putting in the nine which saw East take the ace and return the [D]J. Declarer ruffed with the [H]J, West pitching the [C]2, crossed to dummy with the [H]K, cashed the [S]J and ruffed a spade. He could then exit with a heart forcing West to lead a club into the [C]AQ.
Bravo!
Many pairs went down in 4[H]. As a small aside, on the auction at this table, is there a case for North to bid 3NT over partner’s double? Although no-one managed to reach that safe harbour in the Venice Cup, two pairs managed it in each of the other three events.
