Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, Dec 1, 2006

The bidding


By bidding a new suit at the three-level opposite an overcall, North promised interest in game, so South bid the most likely one. 

The play

North called for the Spade 10 from dummy, and East played low, as did South. Now, South played a Club to the King and tried a Diamond to the King. East exited with the Heart Queen. South won, and tried a low Diamond, hoping the Queen would fall. East took three Hearts to go with three Diamonds for down two. 

For the nine millionth time, plan at trick one or you will fail a lot of contracts you should make. You have two Heart tricks. If you get two Spade tricks, you only need five Club tricks to make 3NT. Entries to dummy are the problem, so solve the problem!

Win the first trick with your Spade Ace. Play the King of Clubs, overtaking with the Ace, and drive out the Queen. Now, when you regain the lead, play a Spade to dummy. East can take the King, but you still have the Jack as an entry to the Clubs. Plan, plan, plan!

Questions: gary@smabridge.com 
Lessons: Call 152-6351.