The Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell





The bidding explained: After North opened and then showed a minimum by passing, South just bid what she thought she might make.

The play: West takes the first two Club tricks and switches to a Heart. You know the Heart finesse is not working, so you win the Ace and pull trump. Now you take the Diamond finesse, which loses, they take their Heart and you are down one. Dare I say it? Again!

Were you paying attention? West passed in first seat and has shown up with the top three Clubs and a six-card suit. With the Diamond King in his hand, he would have opened the bidding. The red Kings are both in the East hand! 

If you know that, then win the Heart Ace as before and trump a Club, making sure that East has no more. Then pull trump. Now lead your Heart 8, and play low in dummy. East is on lead with the Heart Jack. West must now lead a Diamond or Heart, either of which eliminates your Diamond loser. It is amazing what you can learn if you stop to listen to what the opponents are telling you.

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