Of all the mistakes we make in defence, few are more embarrassing than revoking. Everyone’s done it: a sudden brain blip convinces us we’re out of the suit that’s been led, and we discard from another.
If only we were allowed to pick up the card, apologise and play on. But that never happens, not in a tournament. Declarer knows his rights; he smells blood. He calls the director. The revoke card is now a penalty card. It must lie face-up, like a naughty schoolchild separated from his friends, to be played at the first opportunity – even if it gives declarer the contract.
There’s no mercy, and never any upside. At least, I thought there wasn’t, until I got this text from my friend Sebastian Atisen: ‘Have you ever gained three tricks for YOUR side after making a revoke?’ Surely not! But yes – the hand comes from a recent European pairs championship.
Sebastian (East) led a spade. West won with the ♠K and returned the ♦J. Declarer played the ♦A, and Sebastian followed with a deceptive ♦Q. Next declarer played a spade to the ♠Q, a club to dummy’s ♣K, and the ♠A. In a mad moment, West discarded the ♦2. ‘No more spades?’ asked Sebastian. Too late: the director was called, and the ♦2 became an exposed card. As it happens, declarer had the rest of the tricks. But he couldn’t be sure, and the exposed 2♦ looked so enticing. Time to take advantage. East’s ♦Q was surely a singleton, so West must have started with ♦KJ10962. Declarer confidently played the ♦8. West (perforce) played the ♦2. Sebastian won with the ♦K and cashed two more spades!
Comments