The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, May 25, 2007

Opening Lead: Spade Jack.

The bidding explained: North’s double was for take out. It promised an opening hand and support for the three unbid suits. South knew there was a sure eight-card Heart fit and that the game would be close.

The play: South calls for the Spade Queen, expecting it to win. Oh well, East surprisingly wins the King and returns a Spade. You win in dummy and lead a Heart. East plays low and you play the Queen. West wins the Ace. You still lose a Diamond and another Heart. Down one. This is getting to be a habit with you. 

There is a time and a place for everything. With this combination of cards in Hearts, the “correct” play is low to the Queen. If that wins, you go to dummy and lead towards the King. This is absolutely right unless it has no chance of winning! In this case, East cannot possibly have the Ace of Hearts. West opened the bidding, and East has already played the Spade King. The opposition has a total of 16 points, and East has already shown three. Where is West’s opening bid? West must have the Heart Ace. Therefore playing the Heart suit the “correct” way cannot possibly work. When left with no choice, go for what might work, even if remote. Some chance is better than none. When you lead the first Heart from dummy and East plays low, put in the Nine. If East started with the J10, the 9 will drive out the Ace, and you just made your contract. If West wins the Jack or Ten, as will probably happen, so what? You have played the hand the best way you could and given yourself the best chance of success. 

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