ETCETERA / 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.WHEN playing a suit of A7653 facing K1084 in dummy and an honour falls on your right when you play the ace, the Principle of Restricted Choice suggests a second round finesse is 2-1 favourite over playing for the drop.
Except, declarer on the deal above overlooked a tactical nuance.
South opened One Heart and North started a delayed game raise with Two Clubs. However, East pre-empted with Four Spades and after two passes North felt impelled to show his heart support. Five Hearts was passed out although West gave consideration to sacrificing.
West led the ace of spades and declarer ruffed the spade continuation. He laid down the ace of hearts and East followed with the jack. The next trump lead saw West following with the nine and decision time had come. In view of East's known length in spades the odds on the heart finesse looked even better than usual and South was visibly distressed when East won with the queen. He became even more distressed when the diamond finesse failed as well to leave him with only ten tricks.
What declarer failed to take into consideration was that, if going up with dummy's king of trumps failed to drop the queen, he was still home and dry, irrespective of whether the diamond finesse was right or wrong.
Suppose East shows out on the king of hearts - declarer follows with his five club winners, discarding diamonds from hand, then exits with a trump to West's queen. On lead, West has now the choice of leading a diamond or conceding a ruff and discard.
North S. 6 2 H. K 10 8 4 D. 6 3 C. A K J 10 3 South S. 8 H. A 7 6 5 3 D. A Q 9 8 5 C. Q 5 West S. A 3 H. 9 2 D. K J 7 2 C. 9 7 6 4 2 East S. K Q J 10 9 7 5 4 H. Q J D. 10 4 C. 8
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments