DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #47

Rubber bridge
West dealer
Neither side vulnerable

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

SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
—	Pass	1 ♣	4 ♥
4 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

West leads the club king.

Plan the play.

Solution

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

BIDE YOUR TIME. The only likely danger to the contract is that East is void of clubs. To preserve the ace of clubs as a tenth trick against that eventuality, declarer should duck the first trick in dummy and keep ducking, four times if necessary, until he can ruff the fourth round of clubs in the closed hand. Later, the losing heart can be discarded on the ace of clubs.

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1964 National Intercollegiate 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.