Lorenzo The Magnificent

This deal comes from BBO and was played on 28th Sept 2008.
It features Lorenzo 'The Magnificent' Lauria who sat North and declared the hand. His partner was Jimmy Cayne the high flying financier who lead Bear Stearns until recently. I always enjoy kibitzing Lauria and he never lets his fans down.

The Hand:

Dealer W Vul All Scoring Imp Lead ♥A	♠ AK652 ♥ QJ ♦ AQ8 ♣ AQ3
♠ Q98 ♥ 743 ♦ 74 ♣ T9542		♠ 7 ♥ AT985 ♦ K532 ♣ J86
	♠ JT43 ♥ K62 ♦ JT96 ♣ K7

The Bidding:

West	Lorenzo	East	Jimmy
p	1♠	p	3♠
p	4♣	p	4♥
p	4NT	p	5♣
p	5♦	p	5♠
p	p	p

The Scene:
Some kibitzers were tickled that the contract would fail because it looks like declarer has to lose a Diamond a Heart and a Spade. In isolation, in a 9 card fit missing the queen, the odds marginally favor dropping the Queen.

Needless to say, you would not see this hand unless Lorenzo had the last word.

The Play:
The HA was lead and a heart continued. Lorenzo cashed the SA and played a club to the king, Club to the Ace and ruffed the QC low. Then he cashed the HK, discarding a diamond and finessed in trumps.

At this point he has guaranteed the contract. If East wins from Qx of spades, he is endplayed - facing the prospect of giving a ruff-sluff or playing into the AQ of diamonds.

Lorenzo Lauria could have played this hand in his sleep such is his skill but I like the aggressive bidding and clever play. His reward? 1 IMP! The opponents bid and made 4 at the other table.