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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Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

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.

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

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

The Right Timing

Today Otters Club is holding a Bridge tournament dedicated to the fond memory of Dr Tara Tekchandani. Tara means a star and Dr Tara was a real shining star. She was the pioneer of the weekly bridge tournament on Mondays at Otters Club. Very dedicated and committed to the game, a warm and compassionate human being she was. Good samaritan, Mr Chandu Bijlani has organised this event, while her charming daughter Bina has sponsored the prize money. 

East’s 1Nt showed a hand that would open 1Nt-15-17 high card points and a club stopper. The double by south was for penalty. North didn’t have much for defense, so he pulled out to 2♣ and now south bid 3Nt. 

The right timing can be critical when there are several fragile suit combinations and several tricks to lose before you can establish the winners you require to make your contract. East is marked with almost all the outstanding high cards. 

South should win the ♠A at trick one. Since East is marked with the ♠k and play a club towards the ♣q, East could win the ♣k or duck and win a club later, but, it is too late for him to set up the heart tricks. 

Dear tara, 

twinkle, twinkle, twinkle star, often I wonder, how you are!

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Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

Some Detective Work

This is the time that kicks in the festive season in India. We just wrapped up Raksha Bandhan last week, a festival that cements the bond between a brother and a sister.  

It being a holiday, my friend and neighbour organised a rubber bridge game. An elderly gentleman sitting south, with keen penetrating eyes and one of those jutting chin picked up the above cards, his hands trembling like leaves. Soon enough he was a declarer for the slam. 

West led the ♠J, East won the ♠A and returned the ♠4 and south won the ♠K. Realising the slam will depend on the trump suit, south did some detective work. He played a club to dummy and a low diamond. East quickly played the ♦K, which was ruffed by south. Placing East with ♠AQ and ♦K and a passed hand, it was extremely unlikely that East would have the ♥K. hoping the West has the singleton ♥K, south played the ♥A and when the king fell, his chin pushed itself out another couple of inches claiming the contract. 

I was really dazzled by his miraculous card reading at this age! 

I think age is strictly a case of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

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Very Tempting

On ♥10 lead from West, there is much to consider. With two spades and two hearts, south will have to dislodge both ♣A and ♦A to succeed. 

It is very tempting to try ♥J at trick one. if the finesse loses, south is likely to be defeated. East would win and return a heart; West later would win a minor suit Ace, clear the hearts, and cash his winners when he would take his second minor suit Ace. 

Thus, it’s better to play low from dummy and beat West’s ♥10 with ♥A. South should attack a minor suit – probably diamonds. If East hold ♦A, the heart position is perfectly guarded. As it is, West wins and leads a second heart. 

This time, south could risk the finesse. Even though East would win this, crucially, he now would have no heart to return and the suit cannot be cleared. Whatever he would play, south would have the time to push out ♣A, and claim 10 tricks. 

This interesting deal is courtesy ‘Apro Dara’! We wish him happy Bridging and a happy new year! 

When temptation knocks, imagination usually answers.

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

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora

Splendid Efforts

The above deal was played by our senior bridge director, Mr. Anant Bhagwat, who recently became a national director.  Last week, he launched his third bridge book, titled Mr. Badhir Returns.

Mr. Bhagwant was the declarer sitting South. With the bidding misunderstanding between him and his partner, he landed in a most obnoxious contact of 4-2 trump fit!

West led the ♦K and as the dummy came down, Mr. Bhagwat started adjusting his glasses to find if any spades were missing in the dummy.  Counting and recounting 13 cards and realising he is on a downing street, he mulled over matters again and again.  He won the lead in hand and ruffed a diamond in dummy came to hand with  ♣A and ruffed another diamond.  He cashed the ♥A and exited with a ♥Q. East won and backed ♥10.  South ruffed with the  ♠9.  Mr. Bhagwat, avoiding the club finesse cashed the  ♣K and ruffed a heart with ♠J.  He then exited with a club and waited motionless, the way a spider waits for a fly.  Whatever East or West played, South got his last 9th and 10th trick making an impossible contract.

Unfortunately there was no reward for our dear director's splendid efforts as 5♥ was a cold contract on any defence.

Well played, Mr. Bhagwat!.

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

Twitter ID  : @HemaDeora