“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.
Having a one-track mind is more likely to be a liability than a benefit, especially if the track runs to certain destinations. But many new players feel compelled to draw trumps first and worry later.
Against today’s four hearts, West led the jack of spades, and declarer took the ace and hastened to lead trumps. East won and returned the queen of spades, and when West took the ace of trumps next, he cashed a spade, then led a diamond. East’s ace won for down one.
FOUR LOSERS
South ran off the track when he led a trump at the second trick. He can see four potential losers — two high trumps, a diamond and a spade — but dummy’s diamonds can furnish a discard for the spade loser.
To get untracked, South leads a diamond at Trick Two. East takes the ace and returns a spade, but South wins, reaches dummy with the queen of clubs and discards his last spade on a high diamond. Then he can safely start the trumps.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 6 5 H K 4 D A 10 9 5 2 C 8 7 4. Your partner opens one spade, you bid two spades and he tries three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s three hearts is a try for game (or maybe his first bid to look for slam). He asks you to bid game with any sound raise or with a fair raise that has help for his second suit. Since your hand could be no better, jump to four spades or, if partner will understand, cue-bid four diamonds.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 7 3
H 8 7 5
D K Q J
C Q J 10 9
WEST
S J 10 9 2
H A 3
D 8 7 4 3
C 6 3 2
EAST
S Q 6 5
H K 4
D A 10 9 5 2
C 8 7 4
SOUTH
S A K 4
H Q J 10 9 6 2
D 6
C A K 5
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S J
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.