DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #2

Rubber bridge
East dealer
North-South vulnerable

	NORTH ♠ 2 ♥ J 8 5 2 ♦ Q 8 4 ♣ 10 6 4 3 2
	SOUTH ♠ J 10 9 6 5 4 3 ♥ A K ♦ A K ♣ 7 5

SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
—	—	—	Pass
1 ♠	Double	Pass	1 NT
2 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

West leads the king, ace and queen of clubs; East plays the eight, nine and jack.

Plan the play.

Solution

	NORTH ♠ 2 ♥ J 8 5 2 ♦ Q 8 4 ♣ 10 6 4 3 2
WEST ♠ A ♥ 10 9 6 4 ♦ 10 9 7 5 2 ♣ A K Q		EAST ♠ K Q 8 7 ♥ Q 7 3 ♦ J 6 3 ♣ J 9 8
	SOUTH ♠ J 10 9 6 5 4 3 ♥ A K ♦ A K ♣ 7 5

SAVE THE HONORS. Declarer's only problem is to avoid the loss of four trump tricks. If the first spade lead is the jack, ten or nine, the contract will be made only if the missing spades divide three-two. But if the first spade lead is a low card, it can also be made against a four-one split, if the singleton is the ace, king or queen.

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1963 National Industrial Recreation Association Par-Hand Bridge Tournament by William S. Root and Lawrence Rosler.)

Our learning center web pages are dedicated to teaching the game of bridge. There are lessons for first-time players, as well as for those at the elementary and intermediate levels. You can find the appropriate section, and proceed through the lessons.

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