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Daily Bridge in New Zealand

Is that dummy?

It’s Tough on Defence!

You probably already know that! So, let’s walk through this particular deal. You are playing Teams.

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South Deals
None Vul

   

A Q 3

J 8 7

Q 10 8

A 10 5 2

 

N

W

 

E

S

   

 

West

North

East

South

 

 

 

2 NT

Pass

3 NT

All pass

 

2NT is 20-22 and North raises to game. Your 13 count suggests it might be a lone fight with partner not contributing much. So, what is your choice?

4TH highest of your longest and strongest does not lose too many post-mortems even if it does not always win the battle. However, there is a good case here for going for a major since North did not seem interested in those suits. If you go that way, the Heart-small8 seems to be most people’s choice rather than the attacking spade. So, Heart-small8 it is and a major lead seems better when you see dummy:

South Deals
None Vul

9 7

6 3

J 7 6 5 3

Q J 7 3

A Q 3

J 8 7

Q 10 8

A 10 5 2

 

N

W

 

E

S

   

 

West

North

East

South

 

 

 

2 NT

Pass

3 NT

All pass

 

Partner plays Heart-smallQ to trick 1 with declarer taking their ace to lead Diamond-smallAK and then Club-smallK.

Differing thoughts pass through you at this point. Declarer certainly wants access to dummy and by taking the ace, you probably provide one entry to remove your Diamond-smallQ and another to enjoy the remaining 2 diamonds. So, you duck and also duck the club continuation which goes to Club-smallJ. Alas, partner discards Spade-small6 (low like…you know they do not like much!). Declarer calls for a diamond and discards Spade-small2 from hand. You are in and need to find an exit.

Again, it seems a heart is right (partner with not much might be struggling if you try Club-smallA and a club. If you exit a heart, then the Heart-smallJ seems better than a low one. South may duck this trick in which case you need to find a spade switch, while you still hold Club-smallA, to beat the contract. The defence will have 5 tricks.

On the other hand, if South wins the second round of hearts, you can win Club-smallA and play a heart to East’s Heart-small10 (“thanks, partner for that card!”) for a spade switch to beat the contract.  

South Deals
None Vul

9 7

6 3

J 7 6 5 3

Q J 7 3

A Q 3

J 8 7

Q 10 8

A 10 5 2

 

N

W

 

E

S

 

J 10 8 6 5

Q 10 4 2

9 4 2

6

 

K 4 2

A K 9 5

A K

K 9 8 4

 

West

North

East

South

 

 

 

2 NT

Pass

3 NT

All pass

 

So, not so easy for the defence or for the declarer. It seems that the defence must score a heart trick to defeat the contract. On an initial club lead, South can come to three club tricks, four in diamonds and Heart-smallAK while East cannot gain the lead to find a spade switch. Not then a day for fourth highest!  

However, would you ever consider leading Spade-smallA at trick 1? It will sometimes lose tempo but here beats the contract. East encourages and you continue with Spade-smallQ which South has to duck. Now, while you have two certain entries, you must find a heart switch to defeat the contract. Plenty to see from that dummy seat!

How High?

That seems to be the issue here. You are playing Teams and have lots of diamonds. What is your choice?

     

East Deals
Both Vul

 

N

W

 

E

S

   
 

10

J 7

A Q 10 8 7 6 4 3

A J

 

West

North

East

South

 

 

1 

?

Richard Solomon

 

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