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      Throw a loser...and be a winner!

for Junior and Intermediate players... maybe others too! It's Fri day.

Today’s deal provides an example of a technique in playing a board that many players overlook. Whether South was able to play in 3S or got to play in 4S, the concept is still valid.

 

The above bidding may appear slightly unusual. South elected to show their all-round strength by opening a 15-17 hcp 1NT. When East competed in hearts, South wanted to make a take-out double but, fearful of an unwelcome 3 response from partner, bid their solid 5-card club suit.

East was not to be silenced and tried 3. Being not vulnerable, South risked 3 and no-one had anything to say after that!

West led 8 won by East’s A. East continued with Q, West playing 5. You start trumps with 3 and play Q from dummy. East’s A wins the trick. East continues with J. Plan the play.

If the trump break is 3-2, then there is no problem as declarer can ruff with 10 in hand, draw the remaining trumps in 2 rounds and play clubs, losing just the 2 major suit aces and A…an overtrick. South would have wished they were in game and East would have wished they had switched to K at trick 2 to score a fourth trick for the defence.

Too much wishing! Back to reality and South should ensure making their contract rather than playing for an overtrick. What if the spade break was 4-1 and in view of East’s bidding, that just might be the situation.

 

If South does ruff high and lays down K, they will find they have a certain trump loser. South will then have to play on clubs. West wins to play a diamond. South takes their ace and can play 2 rounds  of clubs safely. On the 4^th round West ruffs and although declarer can overruff in dummy, they must lose a trump and a diamond as well as the 3 aces in East’s hand… down one.

“Loser on loser”

Yet, that could have been avoided. From the bidding and opening lead, South knows West has only 2 hearts. Although on some days when there is a friendly trump break, they are giving up on their overtrick, they can safeguard their 3 contract by discarding their diamond loser on the J. That’s called a “loser on loser” play; one loser on another in the same trick.

If that happens, what can East do? They can continue hearts but declarer can safely ruff in dummy. If East switches to K, they can win A.

Now play K and when declarer discovers the 4-1 break, plays high clubs. West wins but again cannot harm declarer who can ruff a diamond continuation and safely draw West’s 2 remaining trumps before enjoying the rest of their clubs…3 making.

There was a danger in South ruffing low and also in ruffing high! So, on the third round of hearts, do not ruff at all. Throw a loser… and make your contract!

What else could East have done?

East would have done better to double 1NT, which tells their partner they have a very good hand (since they were doubling a strong no trump for penalties). Alternatively, they could bid 4 or even 4 over 3. They have a hand with very few losers. 4 is, of course, unbeatable.

If the opponents bid to 4, North needs to find a 4 bid and East would do well to double that. In 4x, South would have to weigh up the chances of making their game (a 3-2 trump break when East has not switched to K when in with A) or playing safely, as above, (discarding their small diamond) and going just one down. That’s a hard choice.

on 

However, in 3, the decision should be easier. Ensure your contract. Discard the diamond.

Throw loser on loser and win your contract.

 

Richard Solomon

 

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