Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell (June 9, 2006)

The bidding

North's jump to three Spades is a limit raise, promising Spade support and 9-11 points. Whether the limit raise promises three or four Spades is something that partnerships should discuss, and agree upon. For the average bridge player, not being able to raise partner's major with three-card support makes things too difficult. 


The play

You have one Heart loser, one Club loser and two possible Diamond losers. What you want to accomplish here is not to have to worry about where the Diamond Jack is. So, if possible, let the opponents play Diamonds for you.
Win the opening lead and pull three rounds of trump, finishing in dummy. Then, take the Club finesse, leading low to your Queen.

If that wins, take the Club Ace, and exit a Heart. The opponent that wins must lead a Heart, giving you a ruff/sluff. Lead a Diamond, solving your Diamond problem, or lead a Club, setting up your Jack for a Diamond discard. In other words, he must choose among three losing options.

If the Club finesse loses, you need Clubs to break 3-3, or you need to guess where the Diamond Jack is.
Questions: gary@smabridge.com.  
Lessons: 152-6351.