ETCETERA / Bridge

IT IS strange that some of the simplest ideas in declarer play seem elusive at the table. Perhaps players look for an exotic but unlikely end-play; perhaps they just resign themselves to a seemingly impossible contract.

North-South game; dealer East

North

S. A K J 4

H. 3 2

D. 8 5 3

C. K J 8 2

South

S. Q 10 9 3

H. A Q 4

D. A 9 4

C. 6 5 4

West

S. 8 5 2

H. 7 5

D. Q 10 7 6 2

C. Q 9 3

East

S. 7 6

H. K J 10 9 8 6

D. K J

C. A 10 7

East opened One Heart and after two passes, North re-opened with a double. East passed - he had no ambition after his partner's pass - and North-South floundered to Four Spades. At least they avoided Three No-trumps - but, after the lead of the seven of hearts, the spade game did not look any more promising.

Declarer won East's king with his ace and, regarding what looked like at least four losers in the minor suits, played a club in the hope of some miracle position in the suit. West played low, dummy's jack lost to the ace, and at least there were now nine tricks in sight. That was all, however, for East had no difficulty in switching to the king of diamonds and continuing the suit when it was ducked. Eventually West got in with a club and was able to cash a diamond to defeat the contract.

Instead of arguing about why the contract should have been Three Spades, South should have concentrated on making 10 tricks. His play relied on finding West with both ace and queen of clubs - clearly an impossibility on the bidding. All that was needed was to find West with the CQ and his partner with only two diamonds.

Suppose South had let the four of clubs run at trick 2? East wins cheaply and switches to diamonds but, after winning the second round, South finesses the CJ. East wins the ace but now the defence is helpless, and declarer's losing diamond goes away on the long club.