The Penalty Pass

By Matt Granovetter

Opening Lead: §Q

Matthew Meckstroth (son of world champ Jeff) was the lucky South player on this auction, so the USA Blue team won a big swing. East should have bid over the redouble. His pass means that he would have passed 3C doubled had North passed. This is called a "penalty pass",

In the Juniors USAI vs. USAII match, both Easts declared 4© -- quite a difference. Personally, I would bid 2© after partner overcalls lª, as a non-forcing call. In that match, however, both Easts passed lª and then jumped in hearts when their partners made a delayed takeout double of clubs (after South balanced with 2§ or 3§). Four hearts was defeated at one table, where North doubled the contract, when South led a high club and switched to diamonds. It was made at the other table when South continued clubs at trick two. Declarer (East) ruffed the second club with a high heart, came to hand with a heart to the jack, and finessed in spades. Ace (pitching a diamond) and a low spade, ruffed, brought down the king. Declarer played a trump to dummy and pitched a second diamond on the jack of spades, and then played dummy's fifth spade. If North discards, East pitches his third diamond and loses one heart, one diamond and one club. If North ruffs in, East overruffs and loses two diamonds and a club.

How many tricks can you make in a club contract? I think you can and should make 11 tricks, unless West is a genius. Here's how. Win the §Q lead and lead the ¨5 to the 10. If it loses, you are held to nine tricks, but so what. To make 11 tricks, you must try the finesse to reach dummy and strip the hearts. After the ¨10 wins, ruff a heart, lead a diamond to the ace, ruff a second heart, lead a trump to dummy, and ruff a third heart. Then cash the ¨K and lead a low spade. Voila. To stop this strip and endplay, West (a genius) must play the ¨Q when the 5 is led toward the A-10 -- that's why you do it ASAP.

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