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What would you say now? Answer If South had passed, you would be worth only a jump to 3C, suggesting around 8-11 points. After South’s raise you can visualize diamond shortage in partner’s hand. Yes, but that does not make your hand worth a leap to 5C. Better to bid just 4C, which allows space for partner to offer four of a major. Awards: 4C-10, 5C-7, Double 5, Pass-4 — Knight Features |
West
leads the two of hearts against 3NT. How will you play the hand? One
chance is to play for a 3-3 diamond break. This is only a 36 per cent
chance, bumped marginally by the chance of finding East with a doubleton
Q-J, Q-10 or J-10. Since hearts appear to be 4-4, it is better to lead
twice towards your spade honours. This will succeed when East has one or
both of the ace and king. A 76 per cent chance. You will need two club
entries to the dummy. Win the opening lead and cash the ace-king of
clubs. If both defenders follow, as in the diagram, overtake the club
jack with the queen and lead a spade to the queen. West wins and clears
the hearts. You now overtake the five of clubs with the six and lead
towards the spade jack. Nine tricks! If the clubs broke 4-1, you could
not afford to overtake the jack with the queen and would therefore have
only one entry to dummy. Deprived of the chance to play on spades to
best advantage. You would have to revert to the diamond suit. The deal
comes from ‘Entry Management’, by myself and Marc Smith, part of a
12-book ‘Bridge Technique’ series published by Master Point Press of
Toronto.
