0016 – The Throw-in Play

Endplays #001 – The endplay cardplay technique in bridge can take many forms, but the process and result are basically the same. Declarer first plays on side suits taking away safe exit cards from the defender's hand and then strategically puts the defender on lead at a point when the defender must make a lead which costs a trick. The endplay typically happens towards the end of the play of the hand (thus an endplay), but can actually happen at any time during the play.

The endplay form on this deal is called a throw-in (tenace throw-in play) where East is forced to lead away from a broken honor holding when put on lead (Trick 7) and has no safe exit without giving up a trick.

On this deal North/South play a conventional defense to 1 NT where a Double is a one-suited hand. South's hand is way too good (14 hcp, 6-losers and rebiddable club suit) to make a preemptive bid of 3 ♣. East/West play systems are on over a Double and so 2 ♥ is a transfer to 2 ♠. West's bid, takes North off the hook, and thus, South knows North does not have on-going values. South can fully define this hand by bidding 3 ♣.  Some partnerships might double 3 ♣, but with East's club values of ♣ AQ10 sitting underneath South's values this would be a dangerous double.

The opening lead is the ♠ K, so how should South play this hand? 

Matthew Granovetter

0015 - A Baby Grand

Minor Suit Slam #001 - Bidding minor suit slams is not the same process as bidding major suit slams - there are bidding space considerations. When bidding minor suit slams, often valuable bidding space is consumed exploring for major suit fits or notrump contracts before agreeing on minor suits. When bidding major suit slams systems are designed to find fits right away allowing bidding space to find secondary fits, bid out shape or bid controls. Finally, typical control responses to 4 NT use lower rank suit responses of 5 ♣ or 5 ♦ artificially where in minor suit slams responses often put the contract at slam level before controls can be established. Bidding space is a luxury not often afforded to bidding minor suit slams.

This deal (rotated for presentation) was originally played as Board 8 Monday night October 27, 2014 / The Common Game (TCG).  So how should this deal be bid?