The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell



The bidding explained: After a Stayman auction uncovered the Heart fit, North added his 16 points to South’s known 15-17 points, and bid the close slam. 

The play: Declarer won the Club lead in hand, and played the Heart King, and then took the Heart finesse. This lost and East returned a Spade. Now declarer had to trump two Diamonds in dummy, and needed to get back to his hand to do it. He then had to return to his hand a third time to pull the outstanding trump. Declarer guessed wrong, and when he tried to get back by trumping a Spade, West over trumped.

The mistake declarer made was in taking the Heart finesse. Declarer has no losers outside of the trump suit, if he trumps two Diamonds in dummy. Therefore, he should spurn the Heart finesse and just play the Ace and King. If the queen does not come down, just leave it out there and go on about the business of trumping two Diamonds. If the Queen does come down, again leave the outstanding trump alone, and do what needs to be done.

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