South
responded to the double with a cue-bid of 2C, to show his strength.
The alternative call of 2H would have shown only around 8-10 points
and would have been non-forcing. With no club stopper in either hand,
the partnership eventually came to rest in a 4-3 heart fit. Take the
West cards now. You cash the two top clubs and your partner plays the
two followed by the eight, telling you that he has three clubs. How do
you plan the defence? It is fairly certain that declarer has all the
high cards that you cannot see. The best chance of beating the
contract — a good one — is that he holds only four trumps. At
Trick 3 you continue with the queen of clubs, forcing South to ruff.
Declarer plays a trump to the queen followed by a trump to the king.
What will happen if you win the first or second round of trumps? The
contract will be made. If you continue with a fourth round of clubs,
declarer will be able to ruff with dummy’s jack. If instead you play
any other card, declarer will win and draw trumps, claiming the
balance. To beat the contract you must hold up the ace of trumps
twice. Declarer cannot resist this defence. If he plays a third round
of trumps, you will win and cash two club winners. If instead declarer
reverts to the side suits, leaving two trumps out, your partner can
ruff the fourth diamond. One down!
What will you rebid ?
Answer You should contest the part score with 2D. This is non-forcing and
suggests a weak hand, since if you held upwards of 10 points you would
start with a penalty double of INT. Partner will nearly always pass.
Awards: 2D-10, Pass-6.
South
responded to the double with a cue-bid of 2C, to show his strength.
The alternative call of 2H would have shown only around 8-10 points
and would have been non-forcing. With no club stopper in either hand,
the partnership eventually came to rest in a 4-3 heart fit. Take the
West cards now. You cash the two top clubs and your partner plays the
two followed by the eight, telling you that he has three clubs. How do
you plan the defence? It is fairly certain that declarer has all the
high cards that you cannot see. The best chance of beating the
contract — a good one — is that he holds only four trumps. At
Trick 3 you continue with the queen of clubs, forcing South to ruff.
Declarer plays a trump to the queen followed by a trump to the king.
What will happen if you win the first or second round of trumps? The
contract will be made. If you continue with a fourth round of clubs,
declarer will be able to ruff with dummy’s jack. If instead you play
any other card, declarer will win and draw trumps, claiming the
balance. To beat the contract you must hold up the ace of trumps
twice. Declarer cannot resist this defence. If he plays a third round
of trumps, you will win and cash two club winners. If instead declarer
reverts to the side suits, leaving two trumps out, your partner can
ruff the fourth diamond. One down!
Answer