BRIDGE
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THIS week's deal is a good example of high quality bridge - good bidding, the right opening lead and subsequent defence, but declarer having the last word. Real life at the table is rarely like that!
South opened One Heart and North responded Four Diamonds - a splinter showing a good raise to game in hearts with a diamond shortage. In spite of his near-minimum opening, South judged well to go on past game and the final contract was Six Hearts.
West found the best lead of his singleton trump. On any other lead it would have been easy for declarer to ruff three of his losing diamonds on the table. South won in hand and set West a problem when he returned the queen of diamonds. If West had won, he would have had no more trumps to lead. Reasoning that if South had held both the king and queen of diamonds he would have taken the opening lead on the table in order to lead diamonds, West played low. East won with his king and could lead a second trump.
Now South had to switch plans. After winning, he played off the king and ace of clubs and trumped a club in hand. Then came a diamond ruff and another club ruff. One more diamond was ruffed with dummy's last trump, the South hand re-entered with the ace of spades, and the last trump drawn. Dummy had the last two tricks with the king of spades and the long club.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments