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What would you say now? Answer If you held this hand in the second seat, immediately over the 3H opening, it would represent a sub-minimum double. Some players would risk a double, nevertheless. In the protective (fourth-seat) position you do not need to so much and the odds strongly favour a take-out double. You will be able to make game opposite many hands where partner did not have enough to bid over 3H. Also, partner can pass when he holds something good in hearts. Awards: Double-10, Pass-6, 4D-4, 3S-3. — Knight Features |
Which
card do you lead from an ace-king combination, the ace or the king? For
several decades this was largely a question of fashion. Nowadays many
partnerships choose which card to lead depending on the type of signal
they would like partner to give. If they would like an attitude signal
(high to encourage, low to discourage), they lead the ace. If they would
prefer a count signal (high to show an even number of cards in the suit,
low to show an odd number), they lead the king. The method, known as ‘ace
of attitude, king for count’ is explained in detail in my latest book:
10 ways to Improve Your Bridge (Gollancz Master Bridge series). On this
hand from the book West decides that he would like an attitude signal.
He leads the ace of hearts and East duly discourages with the 2. West
now switches to the nine of diamonds. The risk of playing low in the
East seat is evident — declarer may be able to throw his losing
diamonds on dummy’s club suit. East therefore rises with the ace of
diamonds and switches back to hearts, beating the contract. You may
wonder when you would choose to lead the king from ace-king, asking for
a count signal. You would do this when defending a contract and the five
or six level. Partner’s signal would then tell you whether a second
round of the suit would stand up.
