This month’s hand demonstrates the ‘never-give-up’ attitude of good players. Playing South online, some players found themselves in an untenable five ♦ contract.
« the bidding:
S
2 ♣
3 ♦
4 ♦
5 ♦
W
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
N
2 ♠
3 ♥
4 ♥
Pass
E
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
« opening lead: 7♦
NORTH
♠ Q 9 5 4 3
♥ K Q 6 5 2
♦ Void
♣ 9 6 2
WEST
♠ K J
♥ J 10 9 8 7
♦ 7 4
♣ 10 8 7 5
EAST
♠ 10 8 7 6
♥ A 4 3
♦ 9 6 5
♣ K J 3
SOUTH
♠ A 2
♥ Void
♦ A K Q J 10 8 3 2
♣ A Q 4
the play
1. West led the ♦ 7, ♠ 3 from Dummy, East the ♦ 5, Declarer the ♦ 10.
2. Declarer was disappointed to find no help in the Dummy.
3. Trumps were drawn in three rounds.
4. Declarer cashed the ♠ Ace, hoping for a miracle. When West played the ♠ Jack, Declarer brightened up.
5. ♠ 2 went to West’s King.
6. West, in with the ♠ King, did not like the prospects for a ‘get out’ play.
7. After some thought, West led the ♥ Jack, King from Dummy, East the Ace, and Declarer discarded the ♣ 4!
8. East had no recourse. A ♣ lead gives Declarer a finesse. A ♥ or a ♠ gives Declarer the 11th trick.
9. East ultimately led a ♣, and Declarer put in the Queen for the 11th trick. Contract made.
Note: Remember: Never give up!
tip of the day
Q| Is there a rule for strong two bids? Everyone seems to have their own definition.
A| I’m sure you mean a strong two bid in a suit. I use the 1948 Goren method: 1.) 25 points and a five-card suit; 2.) 23 points and a six-card suit; 3.) 21 points and a seven-card suit, i.e., the better and longer the suit, the more trick-taking potential we have. Also, strong two bids (suits) tend to be unbalanced.
Do you have a good bridge tip? Email kennethmbland@yahoo.com.
