Mustn't rush into an error

South might have made a take-out double, hoping to hear his partner bid spades. But what would south do if north bid 2♦ in reply to the double? South thought an overcalling  I N T doesn’t rule out spades as north might use stayman. 

How should south plan to bring home nine tricks after West leads the ♥k? 

It is a surprise when West leads the ♥K. But you mustn’t let the surprise rush you into an error. 

Start by checking your top tricks. After the lead, you have six tricks. Two spades, two hearts and two diamonds. You apparently have three top diamonds, but not unless you have a dummy entry. And the opening lead is threatening to dislodge your one dummy entry outside diamonds. 

You must play low from the dummy at trick one. Then, when West continues with a second heart, win in hand with the Queen. 

Now, it’s time to play on diamonds. You should cash the king, and then overtake the queen with dummy’s Ace. If the Jack drops, fine. But if it doesn’t, continue with the ♦10. 

You still have the ♥A in the dummy as the entry, and the defenders cannot collect more than four tricks. One heart, one diamond and two clubs.

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Most Subtle Decision

One of the compelling facets of bridge is the devastating effect of even the most subtle decision; It make other card game seem the equivalent of a monster truck demolition derby.

North might have changed suit as an initial response but to raise a major suit with three card support and an outside shortage is sound.  West led ⧫ 4 and all seemed well for South; ten tricks seemed easy.

the first good play was East's; he won with ⧫A and returned a diamond.  south did trump, cashed two top hearts before discovering the bad break, and took the losing spade finesse.  West continued his partner's forcing defence by laying down ⧫Q.  South was now in trouble. When ruffed, he was left with only one trump in each hand, while East held two trumps and ♣A.  Defeat was now inevitable.

Declarer can turn the tables on the defence at trick two. Instead of ruffing, south should pitch a spade from hand.  West takes his ⧫Q but, now, declarer can draw all the trumps, discard two further spades from hand on dummy's ⧫J10 and then push out ♣A, still in comfort holding the final trump.

You need to make decisions at the right time - not too early, not too late.

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Right Line

This year, even as the Ganesh festival is on, God of rains, Lord Varun, doesn’t seem to be merciful towards Mumbaikars. heavy rains continued to lash mumbai and much damage has been caused. The rains are no more as joyful as usual.

West leads the ♦4, low from dummy, East wins the ♦A, West ruffs the ♦J and shifts to ♠10. If West starts with four trumps, south cannot afford to take the ♠A at trick three as he cannot ruff his club loser and enjoy the ♦Q. South has to duck the spade in dummy and East would win with the ♠Q.  A spade return would be fatal for the defense. East led another diamond. South ruffed high, cashed the ♣A and ♣k and ruffed the third club with the ♥5. When this survived he was home. Trumps were drawn and the ♠A was the entry to reach the ♦Q to discard a losing spade. South took the right line of play.

Frank and explicit – that is the right line to take when you wish to conceal your own mind and confuse the minds of others.

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Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

The Right Judgement

The 2♥ bid was a transfer to spades. north’s 3♠ showed six spades and game invitation. despite a minimum INT, the three-card spade support, the ruffing potential in club and three aces persuaded south to bid to game. If 4♠ failed, no doubt north and south would blame each other for overbidding. 

West leads the ♣K, which is allowed to hold. south wins the ♣Q continuation and leads a spade to the king. When West discards a club on this, you have a sure trump loser. Dummy’s heart is led at trick four and East wins with the ♥A. East’s club return is ruffed by you. How do you play from here?

The declarer continued with the ♥J. West played low and a diamond was discarded from dummy. Judging that West would have heart length and that the ♥K was unlikely to drop on the next round,declarer continued with the ♥Q, king from West, ruffed in dummy. When the ♥10 dropped, south’s ♥9 was high. After a spade to the Ace, and the ♦A was cashed, followed by the ♥9, on which dummy’s last diamond was discarded. East could ruff, but, dummy had the rest of tricks.

Good judgement.

Blog          : http://www.hemadeora.blogspot.in

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora