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Just in case.

Wouldn’t it be boring if all suits broke normally? OK, when you are in a 4-3 4S contract and get a 6-0 break, you might think otherwise! Nevertheless, try this one.

 

 

Look on the bright side. Trumps cannot break 6-0 because you and dummy have 8 of them!

As South, you were expecting a relatively easy board but your partner just kept on bidding…and there you are in 4 as declarer.

West led A and switched to a low club to East’s ace. East continued a low spade which you cover and West plays K and you ruff.

What now?

So, on some days both red suits break favourably and you cruise home with 11 tricks. “Thanks, partner for insisting on game.” might then be your thoughts then. However, we all know that suits do not always break in such a fashion and then you have the challenge of making at least 10 tricks. Save the overtrick for another day. Not everyone will be in this game. So, make game if at all possible.

As you can guess, there was no easy ride at the table and those who drew 2/3 rounds of trumps next did not emerge victorious.

 

 

This board occurred in a recent on-line tournament. Christchurch’s Jan Alabaster (South) was at the wheel after a sequence similar to the above. The first three tricks were as described A, A, spade ruffed in the North hand.

 
Jan (left) and a very happy "dummy", Pam Livingston

Trick 4 she played A and then a low diamond to ruff. Had both opponents followed to a diamond she could overruff, play a couple of rounds of trumps, run the diamonds and claim 10 tricks. However, East discarded a club as Jan ruffed low in her own hand.

Note at that point East still had 4 trumps while Jan had only 3 in both hands. However, she was in control. She played a low heart to dummy's queen and played K. East ruffed with 10 and Jan over-ruffed with K. Now she played the last heart in her hand, 9, to dummy’s A and continued top diamonds. East still hadJ but Jan still had 3 to win back the lead when East ruffed to run the remaining diamonds.

Jan lost just two black aces and a trump: very nicely played. It’s much more fun when the suits do not break normally!

 

Now, later or Never?

 

A 2-part question and you must be honest in answering Part 1 because you would not be aware of what would happen if you passed or bid say 2 now.

1NT is 15-17. You are playing Teams. 

a.    Would you take any action over 2?

b.    If you bid anything other than 4 over 2, West will bid 4. What then?

Richard Solomon

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