Never Forget to count out a Hand by 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 South. Both Vul

J 7 6 4 Q 10 9 K Q 2 8 4 3

A 3 A K J 8 7 A 10 6 5 7 6

West	North	East	South
			1
2	2	Pass	4
Pass	Pass	Pass

Opening lead: A South might have made a 3 game try, but preferred not to give the opponents extra information. West started with the three top clubs, East following with the jack and ten, then discarding a spade. You ruff and draw trumps, finding that East began with doubleton What now? You must work out the lie of the diamond suit. The answer is provided by the spade suit. If West, who has shown up with three hearts and six clubs, holds two or more spades, he can have at most two diamonds. Whereas if West has a singleton spade, he sill have three diamonds. Continue with the ace and another spade. Does West follow both times? Here, yes, he does. So, when you regain the lead by ruffing a spade or club, cash dummy’s two diamonds honors, then confidently play a diamond to your ten. Never forget to count out a hand. The complete deal:

	J 7 6 4 Q 10 9 K Q 2 8 4 3
K 2 5 4 2 9 3 A K Q 9 5 2		Q 10 9 8 5 6 3 J 8 7 4 J 10
	A 3 A K J 8 7 A 10 6 5 7 6

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