Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell (Mar 31, 2006)

The bidding explained

South's cards are all prime, and with the sixth Heart, South decides to take a chance. I totally agree with being a little pushy when it comes to bidding close games.

The play

East plays the Diamond Jack and you duck. East continues with the Diamond King, which you win. You need to try to get to dummy to finesse the Heart King, so you lead a Spade. West plays low. Do you play the Jack or the King, and why?

I tell my students over and over again, "count!" East passed in first seat. East has already shown up with the King, Queen and Jack of Diamonds. You have two Diamond losers and a Spade loser for sure. You need the Heart finesse to work, or you have no chance. Therefore, East needs to have the Heart King for you to have any chance to make this. That gives East nine points. If East had the Spade Ace, he would have opened the bidding. Play West for the Ace, and go up with the King. If the King wins, take the Heart finesse. If that wins, you are home.

If East wins the Spade Ace, you were never making this anyway, as West must have the Heart King.

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