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LOOKING AFTER PARTNER

Now, there’s an interesting concept. Rather than blaming them for the wrong bid they made, their terrible opening lead, their failure to find the right switch, you should always think about what you could have done to avoid the disaster. In fact, “blame” is not the right word. It is just they could/should have done something else. Oh, OK “blame”!

Here is a simple recent example of being a good partner.

 

 (1NT shows 12-14 hcp.)

Your partner leads the 4 which is won by your queen, declaring playing 5. You return the technically correct 2, your original fourth highest. Declarer plays 8 and your partner wins with J. At trick 3, he plays the 7 to your 3 and declarer’s A.

Declarer lays down A and then plays 9 running it to your Q, your partner playing 2 low diamonds. What is the next card you should play?

 

 

If the answer was your remaining spade, then be sure not to blame your partner if the contract made. At that point, the defence would had taken four tricks (3 spades and Q) and your partner, with little to go on, would have to find the heart rather than the club switch to beat the contract.

It is no argument that if partner had been on lead and found a small heart switch that a (naïve) declarer might misguess and go two down.

A golden rule is that you must be sure you are beating a contract before you get clever. South should realise that East has the A and play low, restricting the loss to one down.  

So, following that golden rule, cash the A before you play your fourth spade. You knew where the K was. There is no way declarer would duck the spade lead twice holding AK85.

Be a considerate partner…and hope your partner does the same for you next time.

Richard Solomon

 

 

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