The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell

Opening Lead: Diamond three

The bidding explained: West’s four Spade bid is preemptive. North’s five Heart bid was somewhat of an overbid, but that is what preemptive bids often make you do! East has a big problem. If five Hearts is making, East wants to bid five Spades. However, maybe bidding five Spades will push the opponents into six Hearts, which might make. Or, maybe five Hearts is going down. East’s pass is a wise decision. There is an old expression, “the five level belongs to the opponents.”

The play: On the opening lead declarer sees two Club losers and a Diamond loser. So, declarer tries the Diamond finesse by calling for the Jack. When it is covered by the Queen, there is no escape. Down one. 

Question: If the Diamond finesse is working at trick one, will it still be working later? Or, does the Queen get to move during the hand? Win the opening lead in your hand. Trump two Spades in dummy, pulling trump along the way. Now, play the Ace and another Club. The defenders can take two Club tricks, but then what? As the cards sit, if West is on lead, he has to give a ruff and a sluff, as he only has black cards left. If East is on lead, he has to give a ruff and a sluff, or lead a Diamond into the KJ. If West is on lead and does lead a Diamond, can’t you take the finesse then?

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