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.You might think that East, with his depressing hand, would be unlikely to have any real influence on the outcome of this deal. Not so, for he let an early mistake by declarer go unpunished.
South opened 1!, West overcalled with 14, and North bid 2#. It was easy enough for South to support diamonds and North moved forwards with 34. With no guard in spades, South went back to 4# and North showed his belated heart "support" with 4!. Well, 5# would have been straightforward enough but, with his good heart suit, South decided to play for the 10-trick game and passed.
West led the 4K against Four Hearts and declarer won. A trump to the queen saw West dropping the 10. Ominous! If this were a true card, there might be problems. If South played on diamonds immediately, he could, conceivably, suffer two ruffs. If he drew some more trumps and the position was as he feared, he would lose control.
In an attempt to cut the defenders' communications, declarer led 45 from dummy. East played low, West won and, although the defenders came to one diamond ruff, South ended with 10 tricks. So, what might East have done? Try the effect of 49 when declarer leads the second round of spades from dummy. He is allowed to win and can return a trump. Now the defenders can play a forcing game. When West gets in with #A, he can lead another spade and East, now with more trumps than declarer, is in control.
On general principles, declarer should have ducked the spade lead. Now, even if a defender can take a diamond ruff, he cannot put his partner in for a second ruff and the defenders are limited to three tricks.
Game all; dealer South
North
4A 5
!Q 6
#K J 10 8 3
2A 10 4 2
West East
4K Q J 10 2 49 7 6 4
!10 !9 8 7 4 2
#A 5 4 #2
2Q 9 7 5 2J 8 6
South
48 3
!A K J 5 3
#Q 9 7 6
2K 3
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments