DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #22
Rubber bridge
West dealer
East-West vulnerable
| NORTH ♠ A 10 9 ♥ 7 5 2 ♦ 4 3 ♣ A J 9 5 2 |
||
| SOUTH ♠ K Q J ♥ A Q J ♦ A Q J 10 9 8 ♣ 3 |
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 ♦ | Pass | 2 ♣ | Pass |
| 3 ♦ | Pass | 3 ♠ | Pass |
| 4 ♥ | Pass | 5 ♦ | Pass |
| 6 ♦ | Pass | Pass | Pass |
West leads the club king.
Plan the play.
Solution
| NORTH ♠ A 10 9 ♥ 7 5 2 ♦ 4 3 ♣ A J 9 5 2 |
||
| WEST ♠ 8 7 4 2 ♥ 10 8 4 ♦ 2 ♣ K Q 10 6 4 |
EAST ♠ 6 5 3 ♥ K 9 6 3 ♦ K 7 6 5 ♣ 8 7 | |
| SOUTH ♠ K Q J ♥ A Q J ♦ A Q J 10 9 8 ♣ 3 |
PERCENTAGE AND PSYCHOLOGY. Declarer should plan to use his two entries to dummy to finesse in hearts. If the heart finesse works, it is virtually certain that the contract is made. In contrast, if declarer finesses in diamonds, even if the trump king is onside a second finesse in that suit may not avoid a loser--the contract may still fail if trumps divide unfavorably. Furthermore, although West might well hold off with the protected king of diamonds, to induce South to waste a dummy entry on a losing finesse--this is a trick that cannot be lost, so a hold-up is safe--it is far less likely that West will duck the king of hearts when declarer takes a heart finesse at trick three. So, even if the heart king is offside, declarer may get a chance to take one finesse in diamonds, offering an additional opportunity of doubleton diamond king onside.
(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1963 National Intercollegiate 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.
BEGINNER: Learn how to play bridge if you have never played before. The beginner lessons here are designed for those who know little or nothing about the game.
ELEMENTARY: If you understand the basics of the game, and are ready to proceed further.
INTERMEDIATE: Here is a collection of intermediate-level problems in bidding, declarer play, and defense for you to practice and improve your game.