Playing South online, some players found themselves in an untenable five ♦ contract. This month’s hand demonstrates the value of running your long suit before taking a low-percentage play to make your contract. North, a Swedish expert, opened the bidding one No Trump. Most players would open one ♥ and rebid two ♣s. The Europeans prefer to open any balanced 15- to 17-point hand with one No Trump (yes, 5/4/2/2 is balanced).
« The bidding:
S
2 S (♣ or ♦)
3 S (slam interest in ♦)
6 D
W
Pass
Pass
Pass
N
1 NT
3 C
3 NT
Pass
E
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
« Opening lead: ♥ Ace
NORTH
♠ Q 6
♥ Q 9 8 4 2
♦ Q 6
♣ A K Q 8
WEST
♠ K J 10 3 2
♥ A 6 5
♦ 7
♣ 10 9 7 6
EAST
♠ 8 7 5
♥ K J 10 3
♦ J 4 3
♣ J 3 2
SOUTH
♠ A 9 4
♥ 7
♦ A K 10 9 8 5 2
♣ 5 4
the play
1. West leads the ♥ Ace, Dummy the 2, East the 3 and Declarer the 7.
2. West shifts to the ♣ 10, Dummy the Ace, East the 2 and Declarer the 4.
3. Declarer realized finding a singleton ♠ King or the J109 tripleton of ♣s was unlikely.
4. Declarer decided to run trumps.
5. After one ♥, six ♦s and a ♣ were played, West was under pressure.
6. On the seventh ♦, if West discards a ♠, Declarer makes his Ace and Queen, making two ♠s, seven ♦s and three ♣s for 12 tricks.
7. If West discards a ♣, Declarer has one ♠, seven ♦s, and four ♣s for 12 tricks.
tip of the day
Q | Everyone always talks about making squeezes or being squeezed. Is there an easy way to see/play them?
A | Squeezes certainly are difficult to spot. However, if we use basic technique, some squeezes just fall into place. This month’s hand is a good illustration of that concept.
bridge fundraiser
A special thanks to Linda Powers, Jane Ettelson, Gail Hawkins and all the volunteers who made the ‘Longest Day’ bridge fundraiser at St. Louis Bridge Center a great success. The event raised more than $41,000 for the cause. Exceptional!
