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."I am sorry" was South's comment after this deal. "I have been reading a chapter on partial elimination plays and I couldn't resist trying one. It didn't work." Perhaps a simpler explanation for his failure was that he had not seen the wood for the trees.
South opened One Spade, West doubled and North redoubled. East bid Two Clubs and, after two passes, North supported spades rather than take an unsatisfactory penalty. South went on to game and West led #K against Four Spades.
It seemed very likely to declarer that both the king and queen of hearts were with West, so he proceeded with his plan for an elimination. He ducked the opening lead, won the diamond continuation, and cashed 2A,K to discard a diamond. Then he ruffed a diamond in hand, cashed 4K, and crossed to 4A. Next came a club ruff in hand and he triumphantly exited with !J to West's queen.
True, a heart lead from West now would have solved South's problems, but he unsportingly led a fourth round of diamonds. Dummy, East and South all ruffed to leave dummy with !6,4 23, East with !9, 2J,9, declarer with !A,10,3 and West with !K,7,5. South tried leading !3 but now it was East who had all the remaining tricks. (Declarer had needed to find West with !K,9,8 at this point.)
What about the simple approach? Cash all four side-suit winners and give up a heart. There is now plenty of time to concede another heart and ruff the last heart with 4A for the tenth trick.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments