Source: http://www.andrewrobson.co.uk

If one opponent plays a critical card in a suit, his partner is twice as likely to have the adjacent card in the same suit. This is because of the Principle of Restricted Choice (“PRC”) – a mathematical theory that was found to have relevance at the bridge table by Terence Reese. He first expounded the theory in his epic book “The Expert Game”, written in 1958 – an inspirational read for any ambitious player.
Dealer South N/S Vul
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West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
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Pass | 4NT | Pass | 5![]() |
Pass | 5NT | Pass | 6![]() |
Pass | 7![]() |
Pass | Pass |
Pass |
North used the Blackwood convention (4NT) to ask for aces, and when his partner’s 5 response (one ace) revealed that all aces were present, he bid 5NT to ask for kings. South’s 6
response indicated possession of the three missing kings so North bid the Grand Slam.
West’s 10 lead ran to declarer’s
J and declarer cashed
K. East’s
J fell and declarer used PRC to deduce that West was now twice as likely to hold the adjacent card –
Q. Thus when he followed by leading
4 and West played
9, he crossed his fingers and inserted
10. East discarded a
so he breathed a sigh of relief, cashed
A felling West’s
Q, and claimed his Grand Slam.
ANDREW’S TIP: When one opponent plays a critical card in a suit, play his partner to have the adjacent card in the same suit.