The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, March 16, 2007

Opening lead: Diamond Jack

The bidding explained: North’s jump re-bid of four Spades promised four-card Spade support and about 20 points. South did the arithmetic: 20 + 10 = 30, saw the partnership did not have enough for slam and passed.

The play: You win the opening Diamond lead, and it appears that you only have three Club losers. So, you lead a trump from dummy and get the bad news when East discards. Oops, now you have three Club losers and a Spade loser. Well, if West has three Diamonds and three Hearts, you are still okay. So, you play a second Diamond and then three rounds of Hearts. West trumps the third heart, and you only have nine tricks. What rotten luck for Spades to split 5-0! 

The hand was unbeatable if you had just slowed down. 

You win the Diamond and play a Spade, getting the bad news. Now you play a second Diamond followed by two rounds of Hearts, only two. You then play a Spade to your hand and play the Diamond King. When West follows, discard the third Heart from dummy. Now lead your little Heart and trump it! That comes to 10 tricks.

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