Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell (May 5, 2006)

The bidding explained

South makes a Takeout Double, and when North responds one Spade, South shows a very good suit with a monstrous hand by jumping to three Hearts North has great faith in partner's declarer play and so she raises to game. Remember, overcalls have a maximum count of 17 points. This is how you bid hands with good suits and more than 17 points. A double followed by a two Heart rebid would have shown a hand with about 18-20 points. 

The play 

The first thing to realize is that you cannot let East get the lead. A Club through your King would be disastrous. Therefore, play low on the first Diamond. Assuming West continues with Diamonds, win. Now what?

You need to pull trump, set up the Spades for Club discards, and get to those Spades after the trump are all pulled. That isn't so easy. 

Play the Ace and King of Hearts, and then lead a low Spade. If West has the King, you are fine. All West can do now is take his Spade King and Club Ace. If East has the King, you are not making this, and never were, so why worry about it? By the way, don't forget to pull that last trump before playing on Spades again.


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