Bridge Corner

By Gary Mitchell, Jan 26, 2007

The bidding

Once North passes and East opens the bidding, South gives up all hope of slam and just bids the game that should have a reasonable chance. Remember, distributional hands require that you study the number of tricks likely, not the number of points.


The play

Most declarers have a tendency to just go merrily on their way, totally ignoring the massing storm clouds. You win the opening lead with the Heart King and play on Spades. East wins the Ace and leads back a Heart, which West trumps. You still have two Diamond losers, so you finish down one. Gee partner, if your Ace of Clubs had been anywhere else, this would have been a cinch. 

Did you not see the storm clouds? Did East not open one Heart, promising five? Dummy has five Hearts and you have two. How many does that leave for West? You should see what is going to happen, and find a way around the storm. Sometimes, detours are necessary. 

Okay, did you find the right road?

Win the opening lead in dummy, and play the Club Ace, discarding the Heart King from your hand. Now, play on trump. When East wins and leads a Heart, you can trump high, pull trump and concede two Diamond tricks. If the sun’s not shining, don’t expect to get a tan.

Questions: gary@smabridge.com 

Lessons: 152-6351.