DEFENSIVE PROBLEM #20
Rubber bridge
East dealer
East-West vulnerable
| NORTH (dummy) ♠ 9 4 3 ♥ A 7 ♦ Q J 9 8 5 ♣ 6 5 3 |
||
| EAST (you) ♠ A ♥ K 10 8 ♦ A 7 2 ♣ Q 10 8 7 4 2 |
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | 1 ♣ |
| 1 NT | Pass | 2 NT | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
West leads the spade queen.
Plan your defense.
| NORTH ♠ 9 4 3 ♥ A 7 ♦ Q J 9 8 5 ♣ 6 5 3 |
||
| WEST ♠ Q J 10 8 2 ♥ 9 6 5 2 ♦ 6 4 3 ♣ J |
EAST ♠ A ♥ K 10 8 ♦ A 7 2 ♣ Q 10 8 7 4 2 | |
| SOUTH ♠ K 7 6 5 ♥ Q J 4 3 ♦ K 10 ♣ A K 9 |
ROYAL SACRIFICE. As West cannot have much more in high cards than the spade honors he has already shown, East's only realistic hope for defeating the contract is to shut out dummy's diamonds. This can be accompished by shifting to the king of hearts at trick two, to kill dummy's side entry. If declarer holds up in hearts, East can continue with a second round. Later, guided by a count signal from partner, East can hold up the ace of diamonds until the second round of the suit.
(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.