Bridge

North’s 2S showed a sound raise to at least 3H. The partnership came to a safe halt in 4H and West launched the defence by cashing the ace and king of spades. How would you play the contract when he then switches to the ten of clubs? You should win with the king of clubs, draw trumps and play the ace of clubs. With both black suits eliminated from the fray, you play a low diamond to the queen. Let’s suppose first that West wins with the king of diamonds. He will be end-played. A third round of spades would give you a ruff-and-discard, so he has to play a diamond. If he plays the seven of diamonds, you will win with dummy’s eight. If instead he plays the ten or nine of diamonds, you will win with the jack and finesse dummy’s eight of diamonds on the next round. Realising this, West may decide to hold up when you play a diamond to the queen. No problem! You re-enter dummy with a trump and lead a second round of diamonds towards your hand, intending to play the jack. When East shows out, you switch horses and play low. West wins the trick and must then lead away from the diamond king or give you a ruff-and-discard.

What will you say now?

You have enough for game but no idea which game will be best. You should continue with 3C, even though you hold only three cards in the suit. East is unlikely to raise because he would normally have rebid 2C if he held four clubs. You are hoping that he can show spade support or that he has values in hearts and can bid 3NT. A rebid of 3S would be non-forcing and would not do justice to your hand.

AWARDS: 3C - 10, 3NT - 6, 3S - 3.

David Bird — Knight Features

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