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.North-South game; dealer East
North
4Q 9 7 2
!A K 10 3
#A K 4
2K 5
West East
4A 6 5 4 48
!Q 9 7 6 2 !J 5
#J 10 9 3 #8 6 5
2none 2A Q J 9 8 7 6
South
4K J 10 3
!8 4
#Q 7 2
210 4 3 2
North had an awkward decision to make on this deal from match- play. East opened a rather heavy (by modern standards) 32 but his choice lay between Three and Five, because 42 would have meant something quite different - a strong pre-empt in hearts.
Now what do you do with the North hand after two passes? Double to suggest the major suits, or bid 3NT to protect 2K from immediate attack? One North decided to double ad, after a response of 34 by South, pushed on to the spade game.
West's lead of DJ against Four Spades was significant. Why had he not led his partner's suit? South got matters right: playing carefully he won in hand and led 410. West played low and the fall of East's eight strongly suggested a 4-1 trump break. Two top hearts were followed by a heart ruff, dummy was re-entered with a top diamond, and another heart was ruffed in hand. The dummy reversal was complete. Eventually declarer lost two club tricks and the ace of trumps.
At the other table, North took a different view when he re-opened with 3NT rather than double when East's pre-empt came round to him. All passed, and the passive diamond lead from East left declarer looking at only eight tricks.
He won in hand and knocked out 4A but was still looking for his ninth trick. I hope that you found the same solution that North did at the table. He decided that his best chance was to find East with a 1-2-3-7 distribution and, after cashing everything available, he led 2K! East now had no exit cards and, at the end, the 210 became declarer's ninth winner. In spite of his neat play, North found himself losing 1 i.m.p on the deal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments