frs1016@centurylink.net
Cy the Cynic says that anyone can make a mistake, but it takes real dedication to make a ton of them.
| Dlr: North | ♠ A Q 8 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vul: All | ♥ J 10 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ A Q | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ 6 5 3 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 4 | ♠ J 10 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♥ 9 8 7 6 | ♥ 4 3 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ 10 7 6 4 | ♦ K 9 8 5 3 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♣ Q 10 9 7 | ♣ 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♠ K 9 6 5 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♥ A K Q | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♦ J | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ A K J 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♥9
At today’s slam, South took the ♥A and led a trump to dummy’s ace. East-West followed, so South cashed the ♣A, drew trumps and led a second club from dummy. When East discarded, South groaned, took the king and tried for a 12th trick by finessing with the ♦Q. East produced the king, and South also lost a club.
What errors did South make?
Trump Suit
First, South’s handling of the trump suit was wrong. He must start by leading the king in case West has J-10-7-4.
After South draws trumps, he can assure the slam. He leads a diamond to the ace, ruffs the ♦Q, takes two more hearts and the ♣A, and leads a low club.
If clubs broke 3-2, South would always be safe. When they break 4-1, he succeeds because the defender who wins is end-played — forced to lead a third club from the queen or yield a ruff-sluff.
Daily Question
You hold: ♠K 9 6 5 3 ♥A K Q ♦J ♣A K J 4.
You open 1♠, your partner responds 1NT, you jump to 3♣and he returns to 3♠. What do you say?