The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell

The bidding explained: South just did the arithmetic.

The play: Declarer played three rounds of Hearts, giving West the lead. West led a Diamond. Declarer now played four rounds of Diamonds, and then played the Ace and another Spade. East won the King and led a low Club. South guessed wrong and went down. Should South have guessed right? 

Declarer should not have had to guess at all! The plan should be to keep East off lead. Win the opening lead in dummy, and lead a Spade, putting in the Jack. West wins and probably continues Hearts. You win, and play the Spade Ace and run the Diamonds. If West does not trump a Diamond, lead a Heart. West is in with no safe exit card. You don’t need to touch the Clubs.

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