Today's deal offers scope for good play by both sides. South declares 4
on the diagrammed auction. You may see all
52 cards. Would you prefer to declare or
defend on the lead of the 10?
North-South vulnerable
West deals
West |
North |
East |
South |
1 |
Pass |
1 |
1 |
Pass |
2 |
3 |
3(1) |
Pass |
3NT |
Pass |
4 |
End |
|
|
|
(1) Interest in game
Opening Lead:
10
Perhaps your decision will be easier after
we show you the play at two tables. At Table
I, declarer wins the
A, leads a trump to
the ace, and plays ace and another diamond.
If West does not unblock a high diamond,
declarer can concede two diamonds to him (winning
the second heart along the way), then play
the
K and the thirteenth diamond,
discarding dummy's heart loser. Declarer can
ruff the
J in dummy and so makes his
contract. East never gets in to cash the
established
Q. Pretty play?
If West plays a diamond honour under the
ace, however, he would be able to win the
second diamond and knock out the
K. East
would win the third diamond and cash the
Q, and West's trump trick sets the contract.
Pretty defence?
At Table II, declarer wins the
A and runs
the
10 to West. Declarer wins the heart
continuation with the king and runs the
9. West wins but is out of hearts. Whatever he
plays, declarer wins, plays ace-king of
trumps and the
A. With diamonds three-three,
declarer discards the heart loser from dummy
on the long diamond whether West ruffs in or
not, and cannot be prevented from ruffing
the
J safely. West gets only his trump
queen. Even prettier play.
If you preferred to declare, you chose
wisely. As long as you play 4 as well as
the declarer at Table II, who found the
unusual double avoidance play to bring home
his contract.