Matchpoints-the Deep Game

Matchpoint duplicate scoring is often decried as a random and luck-driven by experts and novices alike. While it is true that matchpoint duplicate scoring carries a high degree of luck (face it, nobody wins a matchpoint event without opponents occasionally dropping the ball at your table), so do other forms of scoring. What I enjoy most about matchpoint scoring is that there are many decisions over the course of any particular hand that may affect the end result. In this manner, frequently those who make better (on average) decisions will rise to the top over the long haul.

 Consider this hand from the Silidor Pairs at the Kansas City Spring Nationals:

 S: Q98x

H: Jx

D: A10xxx

C: Ax

 At most tables this hand opened 1D in first seat. A 1NT overcall ended the auction. Partner started the ten of hearts (standard) and this dummy hit:

 S: xxx

H: Axx

D: QJx

C: 8xxx

 Let's say you play the Jack and it holds the trick. Lacking imagination, you return your last heart. Declarer follows small and partner contributes the 9 forcing dummy's ace. A club is led which you duck, and declarer's Jack loses to partner's King. Partner continues the heart deuce and while you consider your play, the Ace of clubs falls out of your hand onto the table. As a result, declarer quickly claims 7 tricks. Here is the full deal:

                                                S: Q98x

                                               H: Jx

                                               D: A10xxx

                                               C: Ax

S: xxx                                                                                S: AKxx

H: Axx                                                                              H: Kxx

D: QJx                                                                              D: Kx

C: 8xxx                                                                             C: QJ9x

                                                S: JT

                                                H: QT9xx

                                                D: xxx

                                                C: KTx

 Now, to the effect of your penalty card-Declarer has two spades, two hearts, two diamonds and one club trick by forcing the ace of diamonds. Assuming North ducks the diamond ace, declarer can revert to clubs and score two spades, two hearts, one diamond and two club tricks.

 If you discard a small diamond in lieu of the club ace, the play will likely proceed: nine of clubs toward the dummy, falling the now stiff ace. With no entry to South's hearts, North will be forced to return a diamond or spade. Let's say a spade comes back (best defense). Declarer wins, knocks out the diamond ace, wins the second spade return, the jack of clubs picks up the ten and declarer enters dummy with the club 8 to score the two remaining diamonds. The total tally is eight tricks. So your penalty card saved a trick.

 Actually, my partner for this week, Steve Stewart, made this play (intentionally!!) at the table. Minus 90 received 48% of the matchpoints in this field, while minus 120 was worth only 24%. In a field composed of excellent players, when the initial goal is qualifying for the finals, every little bit matters.

 Note: It is an interesting position if declarer hops with the heart Ace to lead a club. North must resist the temptation to play second hand low, rising with the club ace to lead a second heart. This will knock out the second heart stopper before the club suit is established, holding declarer to seven tricks.

 At IMPs, would this hand have merited such extensive discussion here?

                                                                                                                                  --Brad Carmichael