David BirdWikipedia:David Lyster Bird (born 29 March 1946) is a British bridge writer from Eastleigh, with more than 130 bridge books to his name. He was born in London and is bridge correspondent for the Mail on Sunday and the London Evening Standard. He contributes regularly to many magazines, including Bridge Plus, English Bridge, Bridge Magazine and the ACBL Bridge Bulletin.
IMPs Dealer South. Both Vul
3
A Q
A J 8 4 3
A J 7 3 2
A K Q J 10 8
J 10 9 8 3
7
6
West
North
East
South
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
6
Pass
6
Pass
Pass
Pass
Opening Lead: 10
When South indicates a big two suiter North mutters a small prayer and leaps to 6. Since South’s spades are solid he can see no advantage in making hearts trumps and corrects to 6.
OK, you weren’t very impressed by the bidding, but it’s not easy to bid two strong hands where there is no particular fit. There´s nothing much wrong with the final contract of 6, anyway.
How do you plan to make it after West has led the 10 ?
The complete deal:
3
A Q
A J 8 4 3
A J 7 3 2
4
K 7 6 2
Q 10 9 6 2
Q 10 9 3
9 7 6 5 2
5 4
K 5
K Q 8 4
A K Q J 10 8
J 10 9 8 3
7
6
Supose you win the club lead and draw trumps, discarding minor suit losers from dummy. You will now have only one trump left. If you continue by cashing the A and leading the Q, West will duck. You can return to hand only by ruffing a club or diamond with your last trump; it will be pointless to set up the hearts now, you will have no entry to them.
Nor will you fare any better if you play the A and Q before drawing trumps. West will win with the king and lead a third round, allowing East to overruff the dummy.
The A and Q are getting in the way. You should cash the A at trick two. You then draw trumps, discarding the troublesome Q. The way is now clear to force out the K. You still have one trump left with which to reenter the South hand.
3
A Q
A J 8 4 3
A J 7 3 2
