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.When this deal came up in a pairs event some years ago, the spade game was bid at nearly all the tables. Rather surprisingly, only one declarer made his contract - with a simple, deceptive play well worth noting.
In those days, South opened with a simple Four Spades to end the auction. Had the deal come up more recently, South's choice might have been Four Diamonds, the so-called "South African Texas" showing a good opening bid of Four Spades and transferring a spade contract to North, who would have had little chance unless East had foolishly chosen a heart lead.
As it was, South became declarer and West led #K against Four Spades. The normal play, it seemed, was to win, find out there was a trump loser, and try a heart towards the queen. When East turned up with !K, declarer lost a trump, a club and two hearts.
The successful declarer played low from dummy on the lead of #K. At worst this was a play that could not lose, for a losing club could now be thrown on #A later. However, when East followed suit with his 10 (dutifully giving count in the suit), West was convinced, by South's ducking play, that it was his partner who held the singleton diamond and was about to ruff the second round of the suit.
He continued with a low diamond, dummy's jack won, and now declarer was able to tackle trumps, for he still had a discard of a losing heart to come on #A to give him his 10th trick.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments