Pursuits: 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.THIS WAS a delicately balanced hand from a recent pairs event. It was close, both as to whether West could make Two Spades or North could get home in Three Diamonds (in both cases a trump lead would have given the defenders their best chance) and anything on the plus side rated to score well.
At the table I watched, West opened One Spade, North cautiously passed and East raised obstructively to Two Spades. South and West passed and North (wishing that he had bid on the first round) reopened with a double. His partner's response of Three Clubs did not cheer him but he decided to pass rather than convert to diamonds.
West started with three top spades against Three Clubs and declarer ruffed. Now came a trump finesse, losing to the king, and East returned a heart. After taking his ace, West continued hearts and it was all over.
East was annoyed: "Couldn't you see that when you got in with !A a fourth spade gives declarer a ruff and discard that cannot help him? Wherever he ruffs, I come to a second trump trick!"
Well, that was certainly true, but East could have made it a lot easier for this partner if he had simply allowed the trump finesse to win. The difference is that, if declarer perseveres with trumps, East takes his king on the third round. Then, with no trumps left on the table, it is much easier for West to play a fourth round of spades when he is in with !A.
Love all; dealer West
North
4J 7 3
!Q 10 8
#K J 10 7 3
2A 8
West East
4A K Q 10 2 49 6 5
!A 7 6 !9 5 4 3
#9 6 5 #8 4
27 4 2K 9 3 2
South
48 4
!K J 2
#A Q 2
2Q J 10 6 5
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments