All News

                                   “GRAND” DEFENCE.

If only. If only all our defences were “grand” whether they were against a part-score, game, small slam…and a grand. Well, you only need to win one trick against that rare kind of contract. How hard is that! Some of the time you are spared the agony. The best time is when your side produces a cashing ace at trick 1. You are also spared when declarer spreads their hand with a degree of satisfaction. (A tip.. just check they are correct as it has been known that a declarer can be wrong. (I do recall such a false claim costing a partner of mine (not a current one, I hasten to add!) 17 imps in a short Swiss match…terminal!

There were no claims on this day, however. Opposite what could be a near negative response to dummy’s 2 opening, one could best describe the final contract as “sporting”.

 

After a negative or waiting 2 bid, South shows a little bit of life with their 2 call but no interest in their partner’s red suits. Nevertheless, out comes Gerber with South having the only ace and king you cannot see in dummy.

That’s enough for North who puts his partner to grand. You lead the 6 (good choice) with everyone following to three top diamonds. On the fourth round, your partner discards the 3 (low encourage) and declarer the 2. Which card do you discard?

There are many different signalling methods which work most of the time. This hand is a nightmare for those who play “odds and evens”, “odd" …like and "even" suit preference. You will see why shortly.

You already have a lot of evidence about this deal. If declarer had five spades (and your partner therefore 3), which could be the case, there would be no way your partner could afford the 3 to say they liked spades (liking in this case must be holding the queen). They would not then like it so much when AK were cashed!

Therefore, declarer must have only 4 spades. Declarer has 4 diamond tricks, 3 in hearts (alas, you know they must take the finesse),2 in spades and at least 2 in clubs. If your partner has the Q, that would make 3 if declarer held the jack. If declarer, has KQJx, then the defence is over.

Not only do you know declarer’s shape (4234..1 heart,4 spades and 5 clubs does not make much sense with the bidding) but your partner’s, too: 4234 as well. You can anticipate that your partner will need to make a further discard on the third round of hearts….and you must get the message across that that has to be in spades as you have J. You must indicate now you do not like clubs, either by discarding 7 (low like) or 5 (low not like). You must keep the 10, too valuable a card to throw.

I am not sure how you get that message across playing “odds and evens” (I do not) as both cards you can discard are odd.(perhaps the 7 when you may have a lower odd card).

Whatever your method, if you were now to discard a spade, because partner has shown you the Q, then the declarer will make an unmakeable contract.

 

At trick 5 came a heart to the ace and as expected a heart to the jack and the K…and the critical moment, partner’s discard. They have to throw 4 before they know that declarer will part with their second low spade, thus knowing that their Q will fall on the second round.

Two high spades…and then A and a second club, with 10 preventing a finesse. Your partner would complete a tough defence with the winning trick at trick 13.

If only….

We move into the world of the surreal for today’s question:

 

 Pairs: E-W Vul.

What would you next bid be? We can tell you that:

1. psyches are not allowed
2. Your partner could have bid 2 to show game interest with 3+ spades

You may not initially approve of your own 1 bid but you have no Michaels’ bid available to show spades and clubs. Yes, you might have started with 2 though there is nothing wildly wrong with getting the “boss” suit into the picture, either…. and having a little running side-suit up your sleeve. 2 is, of course, natural.  

So, no complaints, please…your bid is all we require!

Richard Solomon

Go Back View All News Items