Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, Oct 13, 2006

The bidding

North’s jump to 3 Spades promised Spade support and about 10 points. South felt a little aggressive and bid the game. When you bid like this, you had better play your hands well.

The play

West led the top two hearts, East following with the 8–3. West continued with a third Heart, and declarer tried to avoid an over-ruff by trumping with dummy’s 10 of Spades. East over-ruffed with the Jack, and a Diamond still had to be lost. South ended down one. Just another case of bad luck? 

With a little planning at trick one, another “bad luck” game would be made. Instead of trumping the third Heart, just discard a Diamond from dummy, which is a loser anyway. Now, there is nothing more the defense can do. Please, take a moment to plan at the beginning. Later is usually too late!



Questions: gary@smabridge.com 

Lessons: 152-6351.