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A Way to 10 tricks.

The opposition got off to the best lead..for them! Yet, your rather reluctantly bid game contract is there to be made as long as you tread the right path. One little slip and +790 would become -200. Watch…

 

You did not compete initially as game was not really on your mind after partner’s 12-14 1NT opener. East’s 2NT showed both minors, usually 5-5 + in shape. However, you were not going to let the bidding die in 3… and a couple of bids later, you were in game, and then doubled!

West led the 6. Plan the play. East followed with 2. What do you play at trick 2? You are playing Pairs…not that it matters as at either form of the game, +790 is heaps better than -200.

You would seem to have three top losers, two spades and the A. If East has the A (they did show both minor suits in the bidding), then your task should be relatively simple. Yet, West must have some reason for doubling..and you already know that they have at most three small hearts. The other thing you also know is that if East does have at least 10 minor suit cards, their low heart at trick one suggests that the spade break is not 3-3.

A way to 9 tricks.

All would be well if there was a 2-2 trump break. You can ruff 2 losing clubs in dummy and make a very easy +790. So, our declarer played a high trump at trick 2.

No joy as East discarded a diamond, a low one. They seemed to like that suit. Next came 8 with East following low. South played high but West even higher (A) and exited with a third round of trumps, another low diamond from East.

Again, in dummy, South played 7 but when East covered with J, South’s fate was sealed.

 

One club could be ruffed in dummy but that left 9 to be beaten after a piece of hopeful but hopeless (for declarer) spade play with 10 beating the 9 as the fourth defensive trick and -200. A shame for South. They were perhaps unlucky in that West had A and all that South had to do was run 8. Yet, that second round of trumps was not a great idea.

A way to 10 tricks

Running the 8 was certainly one way though the risk on this first round of clubs would not have been needed had South not played a second round of trumps. What was highly likely was that West was going to lead trumps at every possible opportunity. Don’t help them.

So, at trick 2, lead a low club to the queen and West’s ace. Back would come a second trump which again can be won in dummy. Play a second club. West’s defence is not that of a player holding singleton A. They would have led that at trick 1. So, a club to the Q will win. Now, a third club ruffed in dummy and A and a diamond ruff and a fourth round of clubs ruffed with dummy’s remaining trump honour. You can safely ruff a second diamond with 10, draw trump and concede 2 spade tricks but still make +790. Not so hard. East had told you how to play the contract by virtue of their 2NT bid.

Who is right and who is wrong?

It is an ominous sign when one side leads a trump at trick 1 and the other plays a round of trumps at trick 2. Someone may well be wrong as was the case here.

Only a trump lead threatened this contract and to that extent, West had done well. At several tables, West led A and that did not hurt declarer’s cause. West had expected or hoped their partner would be a little stronger. However, 4x should have been made with the best East-West can do be to sacrifice in 5 x, which can be no worse than three down -500.

In that contract, even if West tries to set up their own hand rather than ruffing clubs, South can give their partner a second trump trick as long as the defence leads clubs. Clubs, therefore, is the suit to be led by South whether playing 4x or defending 5x.

So, it was relatively easy for South to make 10 tricks but not so hard to see that number reduce by one after a trump lead.

Grim Times

 

It did not look like partner’s light opening was going to have a happy ending. 3 was natural, strong and perhaps on the verge of great things, at least scoring 9 tricks in 3NT. West led K and there seemed an obstacle to success. Had you asked, West’s king requested their partner to unblock any honour they held or else give reverse count. East played 2. Well, how are your prospects? You have still to play to trick 1.

Richard Solomon

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