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.SEE WHAT you think of West's alibi after his unsuccessful defence against South's slam on this deal. Politely (for I was East) I agreed that he had faced a difficult problem.
North opened 1 no-trumps (12-14 points) and, for once not playing any exotic defence to 1 no-trumps, I overcalled with a natural Two Clubs. South forced with Three Spades, was supported by his partner, and went on to Six Spades after learning of two aces opposite. My partner led 29 and, after winning with dummy's ace, declarer drew trumps in two rounds with 4A and 4Q.
Next he led a low heart from dummy to the seven, jack and king. (He looked disappointed; on my overcall, I was favourite to hold !K.) West could count seven spades, two hearts, 2A; and presumably South held #A too: 11 tricks. If he passively returned a club, South would play off his remaining trumps and dummy's two top hearts. I would have to keep a club and West, discarding before dummy, a heart. Neither of us could retain a diamond guard.
In an attempt to break up the squeeze, West played back a heart but dummy won and declarer still had a heart to play after cashing his trumps. The double squeeze worked; South made #J for his 12th trick.
West should have paid more attention to my !7. This surely showed a doubleton. A diamond return was essential - not a low one, for then West would be squeezed in the red suits, but the king!
"Yes, I saw that," lied West. "But I hoped that declarer held #A Q and might finesse." But why should he finesse when the squeeze was certain to work?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments