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.South made a good start in his contract of Four Hearts in this deal, but fell at the second fence.
North opened One Club, South responded One Heart, and North rebid One No-trump. This was "wide-range", suggesting a balanced 12-15 points, and South's next bid of Two Clubs asked for clarification. North replied Two Hearts, showing a minimum 12-13 points but with three-card heart support, and now South pushed on to the heart game.
West started with the ace and another club against Four Hearts and, after winning, East played a third round. Declarer saw that if he were over- ruffed, he would surely lose a diamond as well. Instead of trumping, he discarded #3, exchanging one loser for another. East switched to a diamond, and declarer won on the table.
The contract hinged on picking up !Q and, as East had shown up with six clubs to his partner's two, declarer decided to play West for the missing !Q. He came to hand with !A and successfully ran !J. However, East showed out and there was no way to avoid a trump loser.
Having decided to play West for the length in hearts, South should have come to hand with a spade and run !J before releasing the ace. This would have enabled him to pick up !Q,x,x,x in West's hand, and would only lose if East held the singleton queen - less likely than a low singleton.
Game all; dealer North
North
4Q 6 3
!K 8 5
#A K 4 2
2J 7 4
West East
49 7 5 2 4J 10 8
!Q 7 4 2 !6
#Q 10 7 #J 8 5
2A 9 2K Q 8 6 5 2
South
4A K 4
!A J 10 9 3
#9 6 3
210 3
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments