Bridge

This deal is a defensive problem, so take the West cards and see how you fare. Declarer shows 23-24 points and arrives in 3NT. You lead the jack of hearts and East overtakes with the queen of hearts. Declarer, who does not want to risk a spade switch from East, wins the first heart with the ace and leads the king of diamonds from his hand. Sitting West, what is your plan for the defence? The only possible reason to grab the ace of diamonds at the first opportunity would be if you feared declarer might otherwise run nine tricks. This is impossible when you hold two aces, so you should duck the first round of diamonds. You duck the queen of diamonds at Trick 3 and East shows out, throwing a heart. Declarer now cashes the ace and queen of clubs and leads the jack of diamonds. Again you have to duck, or dummy’s ten of diamonds will provide an entry to the king of clubs. It is the end of the line for declarer, who will now go one down. It was not possible to visualise the entire situation, sitting West, but there could be no advantage in taking the ace of diamonds early. As it happens, it would have given away the contract, allowing declarer to score three diamonds, three clubs and three major-suit winners.

You can see how poorly this hand would play in 3NT. It is very unlikely that you can set up partner’s spades and be able to reach them. Indeed, it is quite possible that 3NT would go at least four down. Instead you should raise to 4S, where the chances are good that you can score several trump tricks to add to the high-card tricks in your own hand.

Awards: 4S – 10, Pass-6, 3NT - 2.

David Bird — Knight Features

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