Source: ACBL: “Phillip Alder is a columnist for The New York Times and a syndicated columnist for 22 years with United Feature Syndicate. His column appears in over 200 papers worldwide. He has also helped to produce the Daily Bulletins at various WBF Championships and is a member of the WBF Youth Committee. Alder is the Associate Editor of The Bridge World magazine.”
IMPs Dealer North. Both Vul
 7 6 A J 10 A K Q J 10 Q 5 2 |
|
| Q J 10 5 4K Q 87 6 3K 3 |
| West | North | East | South |
| 1 |
1 |
1NT | |
| Pass | 3NT | Pass | Pass |
| Pass |
Opening lead: 2
Your partner leads the2, six, ten, eight. You return5: ace three, seven. Declarer plays a diamond to the dummy and calls for theQ
Do You cover or not? Why?
When partner doesn’t unblock theK at trick two, you should place declarer withA K 8. So South cannot have theA. If you cover dummy’s queen, your entry will be gone before your spade suit is established. Yet if you duck this trick, partner can win with the ace and return his last spade, setting up your suit while you still have an entry in theK.
Always bear in mind the entry situation!
The complete deal:
| 7 6A J 10A K Q J 10Q 5 2 |
||
| 9 3 27 6 4 3 29 4 2A 9 |
Q J 10 5 4K Q 87 6 3K 3 |
|
| A K 89 58 5J 10 8 7 6 4 |
Don’t forget to follow us @
