Better Bridge in Barry County May 2 2013

Better Bridge in Barry County

By Gerald Stein

 

 

	North ♠  J 9 3 ♥  K 10 6 ♦  8 6 2 ♣  J 10 5 2
West ♠  Q 7 5 4 2 ♥  J 9 4 3   ♦  A 10   ♣  9 8		East ♠  10 8 6 ♥  A Q 8   ♦  7 5 3 ♣  K 7 6 3
	South ♠  A K ♥  7 5 2 ♦  K Q J 9 4   ♣  A Q 4

 

 

Dealer: Vulnerable: Lead:

West Neither 4♠

 

North   Pass 3NT	East   Pass Pass	South   2NT Pass	West Pass Pass Pass

In a current bridge class at Kellogg Community College’s Technology Center in Battle Creek, the emphasis has been on the play of the hand. In fact, the class is an American Contract Bridge League-endorsed class called “Play of the Hand in the 21^st Century.” Taking time to make a plan, knowing what your objective is for a hand, counting winners and losers, and using specific techniques to fulfill the contract are all concepts that current students are working on. Today’s hand illustrates a number of those concepts. Let’s take a look.

With 19 high card points, South was poised to bid 2NT, knowing that partner North could pass as the bid is not forcing. North raised to 3NT, and the bidding part of the game was over. Now, South as declarer was ready for the play-of-the-hand business.

With the 4♠ as the lead from West, South first stopped, thanked her partner, and surveyed the dummy, counting winners in no trump. (Count losers in a trump suit.) South saw only three winners without giving up the lead: the A♠, the K♠, and the A♣. The six other tricks would have to be developed through promotion, long suits, or finesses. South could see that the heart suit would be a dangerous suit unless East had the lead and chose to lead hearts. Accordingly, South planned to stay away from the hearts. Looking at the minor suits, South saw seven clubs and eight diamonds. Which suit should South start with?

Taking the A♠ in her hand, South knew that with eight cards in diamonds, the usual split of outstanding cards in the defenders’ hands would be 3-2 most of the time. With seven cards in the club suit, the usual split of six outstanding cards in the defenders’ hands would be 4-2 most of the time. Remembering the bridge adage of “Take your losers early,” South began work on the diamond suit immediately, leading the top of the sequence, the K♦. Her objective was clear. Knock out the A♦ and the diamond suit would be set up. The clubs could wait for a bit.

South led the K♦ at trick two, and West pounced on that lead with the A♦. South was pretty sure that the lead of the first spade meant that West had the Q♠. Would the third trick be another spade? Instead of a spade lead which might have set up the J♠ for South, West elected to lead back the 10♦ and put South back in her hand. South won with the J♦, and still had control with the Q♦, and probably two more diamond tricks after that. First things first, however. The clubs needed to be worked on next while South still had control of the hand. Leading the A♣ or the Q♣ is the question that South next pondered. The objective was clear. Drive out the K♣, and that suit would be set up. What happened if the defenders ducked the trick and refused to take it immediately?

When South chose the Q♣ for her lead, starting with the short side first, another important play-of-the-hand technique, she was pleasantly surprised when East pulled in the trick with the K♣. Leading the A♣ first and then the Q♣ would also work, hoping that at the second club lead the East defender would take the trick. At any rate, East led back a diamond to the three diamond winners in South’s hand. From there, South led a club to the two remaining club winners on the board, and a spade back to the good A♠ in her hand. Two spade winners, four diamond winners, three club winners, and no hearts winners as expected made South very happy with a 3NT contract bid and made.

Making a plan, knowing your objective, knowing how the suits will break, counting your winners, taking your losers early, and being patient are all skills that good bridge players can and should develop. While there is much to think about, doing the thinking before the first trick is taken is the right step. Waiting until you are into the hand, even one trick, may be too late. Take your time, make a plan, and play those cards like a winner.

 

Gerald Stein

April 18, 2013

Number of words: 849

 

Bridge notes: Bridge offerings and games in the Battle Creek area at Burnham Brook Community Center are available throughout the week. Check their website for times and fees. A fee may be required for some games.