MThe Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell

Opening Lead: Diamond Queen

The bidding explained: West’s double shows the other three suits and something akin to an opening bid.

The play: On the opening lead, East signals encouragement with the Ten. South, having read last week’s column is ready, and plays low. South wins the second Diamond, pulls trump, ruffs dummy’s last Diamond and plays three rounds of Clubs, ending in dummy. The stage is set. A low Heart is played from dummy; and, when East plays low, declarer plays the nine. West is in with the Jack and has no good exit. A Club or Diamond gives declarer a ruff/sluff, to get rid of a Heart loser. A Heart continuation also solves declarer’s problem. Well played! The question is: Should declarer have been allowed to make this hand?


Hey East!! Hello!! What was the Diamond Queen opening lead? West made a take out double, promising at least three cards in each of the other three suits. This has to be from QJx(x). Don’t just signal with the Ten. Overtake the Queen with the King. Now, if declarer plays low, you are in to switch to a Heart. West wins and leads another Diamond and sits back and waits for her other two Hearts. If Declarer wins the opening Diamond, when West gets in with a Heart, she can exit in Diamonds.

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