The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, June 29, 2007

Opening Lead: Heart King

The bidding explained: After North showed two Suits, South just bid the most reasonable game.

The play: You count three Heart losers, a Spade and a Club. Five in all. You can trump one Heart, getting the loser count to four. You can try to run the Diamonds. If they break 2 ½–2 ½, you will be able to throw a half loser away. Sorry, just my sense of humor. 

If you win the Heart and lead a Club, they can take their two Aces and the Heart tricks to set you. Is there any way?

There usually is, but finding it is the problem. This one is especially difficult to find, even looking at all four hands. 

Play low on the first Heart! What can the defenders do? If they switch to a trump, you can pull trump. You still have the heart Ace, and can run the Diamonds. If they continue Hearts, you trump in dummy, then lead a Club to the Queen. West can win the Ace and lead another Heart. You win the Ace, go to dummy with a Diamond, and discard your last Heart on the Club King. Trump a Club, and then pull trump. 
Isn’t it the most normal thing in the world to let the opponents win the trick when you have the Ace opposite a singleton?

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