Crawford's genius of a move
Today’s hand is one I came across years ago and for the three decades since I have been marvelling at the genius of the declarer involved. I believe it was the American, John Crawford, who made the play during a high stakes marathon bridge session in the Bahamas. E/W Vulnerable Dealer West North
South
The bidding:
West North East South
2[heart] (1) Dbl Pass 2[spade]
Pass 3[heart] (2) Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Pass
(1) Weak
(2) Asks for a heart stopperWest led the king of hearts. Crawford realised that he could not take the first heart as this would be disastrous if East has the king of clubs (and, probably a second heart as West shows six). Before, however, doing what most of us would have done which is to simply duck the heart, Crawford, in lightning quick fashion, threw the jack of hearts under the king!!! At this, West’s eyes lit up and he continued with another high heart which Crawford won. The full hand now! North
West East
[spade]103 [spade]KQJ97
[heart]KQ10982 [heart]74
[diamond]9765 [diamond]J104
[club]7 [club]K42
South
Do you see the beauty of the play of the heart jack? If Crawford had followed low West would know he had the ace-jack (as East would have played the jack under the king if he had it), and would have to switch suits. Looking at dummy, the only possible switch would be a spade, and as you can see, that would be curtains!
Brilliant! Really a dream play!
Could West have seen through this? Yes, if he was in a good partnership and trusted his partner, East would play the heart seven at trick one, showing a doubleton. Now, despite South’s jack, West would realise what was going on and make the spade switch — at least that’s the theory!!
