The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell

Opening Lead: Club Queen

The bidding explained: North’s four-Heart bid was just simple Standard American bidding. It promised Heart support and 12-15 points.

The play: The defenders took the first two Club tricks and declarer trumped the third. Then, declarer pulled trump, which required three rounds. He next led a Spade to the Queen, losing to the Ace. Now, declarer had two Diamond losers, and only one trump in dummy. Down one.

The way declarer played the hand, if Hearts were 2-2, or if the Spade Ace was in West’s hand, he would have made it. A little luck was all he needed. 

Declarer knows he cannot afford to lose any Diamond tricks. So, the best plan is to lead a Spade immediately, and find out where the Ace is. When the Queen loses to the Ace, declarer knows he has to trump two Diamonds in dummy. Declarer gets to trump one Diamond low, and when West shows out on the fourth Diamond, declarer can trump the other Diamond low. 

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