An avoidance play works to keep the dangerous hand from winning the lead. As bridge players, we all are familiar with these plays. Some are easy to see. Others, not so much. Can you spot the right play in this month’s hand?
The bidding:
N
1H
3NT
E
Pass
Pass
S
1C
1NT
Pass
W
Pass
Pass
Pass
Opening lead: 4♠
Cover the East/West hands and see if you can make the contract.
NORTH
♠ A75
♥ A865
♦ A632
♣ 84
WEST
♠ KJ942
♥ J9
♦ Q105
♣ J95
EAST
♠ Q106
♥ Q1073
♦ J97
♣ Q107
SOUTH
♠ 83
♥ K42
♦ K84
♣ AK632
The Play
1. The ♠ 4 is led, 5 from dummy, East the Queen, and 3 from declarer.
2. The ♠ 10 is continued, 8 from declarer, West the 2, and dummy the 7.
3. East ♠ 6, declarer ♥ 2, West ♠ King, and dummy’s Ace.
4. South counts one ♠, two ♥s, two ♦s, and two ♣s for seven tricks. Declarer must score two more tricks to make 9.
5. Clubs must be 3:3 and East must have the Queen. Four tricks now are available in that suit.
6. If declarer plays the Ace, King, and another ♣, a good defender will discard the Queen to create an entry for West’s ♠s.
7. To prevent West from getting in the lead, South must lead ♣s from the dummy twice.
8. Declarer plays the ♣ 4, East the 7, South the king, and West the 5.
9. Back to the dummy with the ♥ Ace and lead the ♣ 8.
10. When East tries to force an entry to West’s ♠s by playing the Queen of ♣s, South must duck.
11. Declarer wins any return, and four ♣s are for the taking.
12. One ♠, two ♥s, two ♦s and four ♣s equals nine tricks. Three no trump, bid and made.
NOTE: If East had not played the Queen, declarer must play the Ace and another, catching the suit 3:3 and making East unable to get West back in with the good ♠s.
[tip of the day]
Q. Kenny, my partner and I play on the ‘C’ side at the center. We keep hearing about stolen bid doubles. Can you explain them?
A. Stolen bid doubles are used primarily after your partner opens one NT. Your right-hand opponent, for example, bids two ♣s. You were going to Stayman, so you double, saying the opponent has stolen your bid. Stolen bids also work when you are preparing to transfer, i.e., 1 NT, two ♦s by the opponent, stolen bid double by partner is a transfer to ♥.
[Do you have a good bridge tip? Email kennethmbland@yahoo.com]
