frs1016@centurylink.net
Studies show that December is the most frequent month for conception. Since this is January, I suppose today’s West can be excused for not conceiving of the winning defense.
Dlr: West | ♠ Q 10 8 6 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Vul: N-S | ♥ J 9 3 | |||||||||||||||||
♦ 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
♣ A Q J 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
♠ A K J 7 5 | ♠ 3 | |||||||||||||||||
♥ A 7 | ♥ 5 4 2 | |||||||||||||||||
♦ K 10 6 4 2 | ♦ Q 9 8 5 | |||||||||||||||||
♣ 6 | ♣ 10 8 7 5 2 | |||||||||||||||||
♠ 9 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
♥ K Q 10 8 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
♦ A J 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
♣ K 9 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♠K
Against 4♥, West led the ♠K: deuce, three, four. He shifted to the ace and a low trump to stop ruffs in dummy, but South won, took the ♦A, ruffed a diamond and led a club to his king. He drew trumps, ran the clubs to discard his last diamond, and lost a spade at the end. Making four.
Singleton
West needed a better defensive concept. When East plays the three on the first spade, West knows it’s a singleton; with 9-3, East would signal count by playing the nine. So at Trick Two, West should lead his singleton club.
South wins but must lead a trump eventually. Then West grabs his ace and leads the ♠5 (suit preference: a low spade asking East to return a club, the low-ranking side suit).
If East ruffs and duly leads a club, West ruffs for down one.
Daily Question
You hold: ♠A K J 7 5 ♥A 7 ♦K 10 6 4 2 ♣6.
You open 1♠, your partner bids 2♣, you bid 2♦ and he raises to 3♦. What do you say?