frs1016@centurylink.net
One good rule of thumb is to try not to hit it with a hammer. Another: When you’re a defender and declarer has a repeatable finesse, let his first try win.
At today’s 3NT, South won the first diamond with his ace and let the ♠9 ride. East took the jack and returned a diamond.
When South took his king, his situation looked desperate. If he led another spade, he would probably lose two more spades plus two diamonds. So South instead led the ♥9: seven, eight … six! He led another heart — jack, queen — and wound up with nine tricks: four hearts, two diamonds and three clubs.
| Dlr: South | ♠ Q 10 87 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vul: N-S | ♥ A Q 10 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ 6 4 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 6 5 4 | ♠ A K J | |||||||||||||||||
| ♥ K J 7 | ♥ 6 5 3 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ J 10 6 | ♦ Q 9 8 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♣ 10 8 7 3 | ♣ J 9 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 9 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♥ 9 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♦ A K 5 3 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ A K Q 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♦J
Weak Defense
East’s defense was weak. East has the spades under control, but he can see that declarer will meet with great success if he gets discouraged with the spades and shifts to hearts. So East should win the first spade with the king or ace and return a diamond.
South will surely win and lead a second spade to dummy’s 10. Then the defense will have five winners.
Daily Question
You hold:
♠ 9 3
♥ 9 4
♦ A K 5 3 2
♣ A K Q 5
Your partner opens 1♠, you respond 2♦, he rebids 2♠ and you try 3♣. Partner then bids 3♦. What do you say?