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Bridge
 North’s
2H shows a sound raise in spades (direct bids of 2S or 3S would have
been pre-emptive). Since South would have overcalled without the ace of
diamonds he feels entitled to rebid 3S. North raises to game and the two
of hearts is led. How would you play the hand? The lead is an obvious
singleton and you should rise with dummy’s ace of hearts. After
drawing trumps in two rounds, you run the nine of hearts to East. West
shows out on this trick and East wins with the queen. Suppose he
switches to a diamond now. You win with the ace, cross to a trump and
lead the jack of hearts. It makes no difference whether East covers. If
he does, you will ruff and return to the ace of clubs to throw a club.
If he chooses not to, you will throw a club immediately. In either case
you will eventually ruff a diamond in dummy for your ninth trick. The
technique in hearts is known as a ‘ruffing finesse’. Would a club
lead have beaten the contract, do you think? You can still succeed,
provided you duck the first round of clubs to break the defenders’
communications. You will then win the club continuation, draw trumps,
and run the nine of hearts. Again an eventual ruffing finesse will allow
you to discard a club loser.
What would you say
now on the West cards?
Answer
Your side has at least
half the points in the pack and you should announce this by bidding 1NT
rather than passing. Partner will then be able to compete if he has any
extra distribution or strength. If instead you pass and North responds
2C, you will be left wondering what to do on the next round. Awards:
1NT-10, Pass-7 Redouble-4, 2H/2D/2C—3.
David Bird — Knight Features
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