bridge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Love all; dealer South
North
4 9 8 3
! 8 6 4 2
# K Q 9 6 4 3
2 none
West East
4 J 7 4 Q 10 6 5 4
! K Q 9 5 ! 3
# J 2 # 10 8 7
2 K Q 10 9 2 2 8 6 5 3
South
4 A K 2
! A J 10 7
# A 5
2 A J 7 4
The International Bridge Press Asociation - a sort of informal trade union - usually considers it bad form to comment on a colleague's writings. One comment, however, caught my eye in a report on the 1994 Far East Open Championship in Australian Bridge.
Just look at the North-South cards on this deal (East-West were not specified in detail) and see if you agree with the following comment:
"Australia played in Three No-trumps, making an easy ten tricks, whereas the Taiwan contract was Four Hearts. Diamonds broke 3-2 but the Hearts divided 4-1, making Four Hearts unmanageable. Ten IMPs to Australia."
Presumably the bidding was opened by South with Two No-trumps and one North raised simply to Three No-trumps while the other launched into a Stayman enauiry to establish the 4-4 heart fit before raising to game.
Given the distribution of the red suits, can you see my quarrel with the analysis?
Suppose that West makes his normal lead of the king of clubs. Declarer wins, discarding a spade from dummy, cashes the ace of hearts and then abandone trumps, simply playing on diamonds. Now, as long as the diamonds behave and the trumps are not 5-0, declarer has 10 tricks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments