Master Spades: Deals from Duplicate 10304

How Not to Play the 5-5.

Doesn't anybody here know how to play the 5-5? North's hand is a monster, but only if played correctly. The bidding differed at each table, but in nearly every case North led the singleton heart. South took the

A and switched to the singleton club and so the team found its crosstrump. They had no trouble making their bid, typically 8 or 9. Eventually they ran out of steam after which the opponents got four tricks or so.

AKQ97

Q10632

Q103

KJ6542

KJ5

1052

KJ84

A974

J643

A9762

A107


West	North	East	South
2	4	2	4

North led the

There was only one player that knew the correct way to play the 5-5. With the advantage of the opening lead, you must attack with your long side suit. Lead this suit, even if you must underlead your honor cards.

North led the 2 and East hopped up with the A. He switched to hearts. South took the A and the A, then played a low heart. North trumped, but instead of bashing out the top spades, continued the club attack. South trumped the second club felling the J. A spade went to North who played a second round of the suit, and then came another club. Again South trumped, this time dropping the K and establishing the rest of North's suit. When North next obtained the lead, the A dropped East's 10, and North/South had themselves 11 tricks.

The 5-5 is special. It can produce beaucoup de tricks if you know how to play it. If you don't, it is just another ordinary hand.

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