The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell



Opening Lead: Club two


The bidding explained: South’s Double was for take-out. When North responded one Heart, and South bid his own suit, he now promised a hand that was too good for an overcall. Overcalls have a limit of 17 points. North rebid his Hearts and South tried Spades. North now had a problem. There were enough points for game, but where? North could not bid Notrump, and did not want to play in Diamonds. So, fearfully, North raised Spades. South thought his partner had four Spades and bid the game. There is time enough later for discussion, but for now you need to try and make this contract. 

The play: You trump the third Club. Now what? The key here is to understand that the Spades are probably 4-2. So, pull two rounds of trump, and start running the Diamonds. At some point, someone is going to trump in. When they do, whatever they lead, you can win, and pull the last trump. Well done!

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