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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.

 

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?

4^TH 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 8 seems to be most people’s choice rather than the attacking spade. So, 8 it is and a major lead seems better when you see dummy:

 

Partner plays Q to trick 1 with declarer taking their ace to lead AK and then K.

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 Q and another to enjoy the remaining 2 diamonds. So, you duck and also duck the club continuation which goes to J. Alas, partner discards 6 (low like…you know they do not like much!). Declarer calls for a diamond and discards 2 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 A and a club. If you exit a heart, then the J 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 A, 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 A and play a heart to East’s 10 (“thanks, partner for that card!”) for a spade switch to beat the contract.  

 

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 AK while East cannot gain the lead to find a spade switch. Not then a day for fourth highest!  

However, would you ever consider leading A at trick 1? It will sometimes lose tempo but here beats the contract. East encourages and you continue with Q 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?

 

Richard Solomon

 

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