Bridge: Feb. 19, 2024
I begin a second week of deals focusing on defensive play, an area in which I suspect many players can improve.
Counting is essential in producing best defense. Defenders must count declarer’s points and shape. Above all, defenders must count their own possible tricks.
Against today’s four hearts, West leads his singleton club, and East takes the ace. If he returns a club, West ruffs, but South wins a diamond return. He loses a trump finesse and can take the rest, drawing trumps and pitching spades on dummy’s clubs.
ONLY HONOR
East can see three defensive tricks: a club, a ruff and his king of trumps. If West has an ace, fine; but if West’s only honor is the king of spades, East must lead a spade, setting up a spade trick before South draws trumps and uses the clubs.
At Trick Two, East should lead a spade. Since he has a fast re-entry in trumps, West’s club ruff can wait. East can’t know West has the king of spades, but he must so assume, else his play is moot.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 4 H A J 6 D 3 C K Q 10 8 7 2. You open one club, and your partner bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: Say you rebid two clubs, and partner raises to three clubs or bids 2NT. Since your hand is minimum, you would pass or (over 2NT) rebid three clubs, never having shown suitability for play at spades. Raise to two spades. Partner may have five; he didn’t respond in a red suit. If he bids 2NT next, bid three clubs to sign off.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 9 4
H A J 6
D 3
C K Q 10 8 7 2
WEST
S K 10 6 3
H 5 4 2
D J 10 8 7 4
C 3
EAST
S 7 5 2
H K 8
D Q 9 6 5
C A 9 5 4
SOUTH
S A J 8
H Q 10 9 7 3
D A K 2
C J 6
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 C Pass
2 NT Pass 3 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C 3
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.