Phillip Alder
Phillip Alder
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 East. Neither Vul
8 5 10 9 3 K Q J 10 6 5 A 2
10 9 3 A J 8 6 5 A 4 Q J 10
West North East South
1 2
2 3 Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: 2 Your partner leads the 2. The contract makes when it could have been defeated. Each defender blames the other. How did the play go? Who was at fault? How did the play go? Well, East won the first trick with the A and returned a heart, West dropping the four, not the queen. South drove out East’s A and the defenders couldn’t run the heart suit because it was blocked. Who was at fault? Both defenders! But West more culpable. South was marked with Kx doubleton. And West with Qx2. With 742, West should lead 7 as he had supperted hearts. Only if he hadn’t supported should West lead the 2 to give partner count on the suit. So, East should have played the J (of 8 if dummy played low) at trick one. However, West knew his partner had a five card suit from the opening bid, so West should have unblocked the Q at trick two. The complete deal:
8 5 10 9 3 K Q J 10 6 5 A 2
Q J 7 6 4 Q 4 2 7 3 2 7 3 10 9 3 A J 8 6 5 A 4 Q J 10
A K 2 K 7 9 8 K 9 8 6 5 4

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