DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #49

Rubber bridge
South dealer
East-West vulnerable

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

SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
Pass	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	2 ♣	Pass
2 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

West leads the spade eight.

Plan the play.

Solution

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

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. With only six likely tricks available outside of spades (an attempt to ruff a diamond in dummy will probably be defeated by defensive trump leads), declarer should try for two spade tricks by ducking the opening lead, expecting to lose his singleton jack to the king but later being able to lead the ace and queen of spades to win tricks or to drive out an opponent's high trump. The safest time to play the late rounds of spades is after cashing the king and ace of hearts, preventing an opponent short in trumps from ruffing a spade.

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1965 National Intercollegiate Bridge Tournament by William S. Root, Lawrence Rosler and Jeff Rubens.)

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.