The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell






Opening Lead: Heart Jack


The bidding explained: The two Club opener says, “Our side is going to game.” The strain of game may not be certain. Two Diamonds is a “waiting” bid. It just says, “Partner, at this moment I have nothing to say.” Two Spades sets the suit, and North raises to three, which promises a fit and at least one King or Ace. South bids four Spades, saying he has game but that is all. 

The play: Declarer sees three possible Club losers and a Diamond loser. However, it appears that a Club can be discarded on the Diamond Queen, so all should be well. Declarer wins the opening lead and plays the Spade Ace. Well, so much for getting to dummy to pitch a Club on the Diamond King. Now what? If you have to play Clubs yourself, you will lose three tricks in that suit. You need the opponents to let you get to dummy or to play Clubs for you. Any ideas?

Don’t play another Spade. Instead, take your second Heart and lead the Diamond Queen. The opponents have to win that trick else you have only the three Clubs losers. However, when they win the Diamond Ace, how do they keep you out of dummy? A Diamond return lets you discard a Club. A Heart return lets you ruff in dummy. A Club return holds your Club losers to two. If East has the Diamond Ace and returns a Spade, you can let it ride to win it with the 10 in dummy. Oh Happy Days!

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