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.On this deal from match play, one South was justly proud of having reached Six Hearts (rather than Six Spades, which would have had no play). He was annoyed to find that his counterpart had reached, and made, the small slam even more easily.
Both Souths rated their hand as worth a conventional Two Club opening and, after the start of 22 - 2#; 24 - 2NT; 3! - 4!, had plunged (rather rashly) into the heart slam.
At one table, South had an easy run when West led a low diamond. He ruffed, drew just two rounds of trumps, then played on spades to discard two clubs from dummy before the defenders could come to anything save their trump trick.
The aggrieved South, after rather surprisingly reaching the same contract, had to contend with the more worrying lead of 29 which went to the 10, jack and ace. The only chance now, it seemed, was that the trumps were 3-2 and that the defender with three trumps would also have to follow to three rounds of spades. However, South saw a deceptive way of improving his chances.
He cashed !A and crossed to !K. Then came a spade from dummy, won by the queen. South continued with the ace of spades and 47. This created the firm impression in West's mind that declarer had taken a successful spade finesse and was engaged in establishing the suit with a ruff in dummy. Instead of ruffing, West discarded. One of dummy's clubs went away and another spade left West with no resource.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments