Answer to Hand of the week commencing Sunday 15th February 2009      

 

North Dealer

ª

A Q J 8

 

 

 

Neither Vulnerable

©

 A 5

 

 

 

 

¨

 J 10

 

 

 

 

§

 Q 9 8 6 2

 

 

 

 

 

N

 

 

ª

7 4

 

 

ª

 10 9 2

©

K Q 8 4

 

W                          E

©

 10 9 7 3

¨

 9 8 7 5 2

 

 

¨

 A K 3

§

 K 4

 

 

§

 10 7 5

 

 

 

S

 

 

 

 

ª

K 6 5 3

 

 

 

 

©

 J 6 2

 

 

 

 

¨

 Q 6 4

 

 

 

 

§

 A J 3

 

 

                           

W

N

E

S

 

1§

NO

1ª

NO

3ª

NO

4ª

NO

NO

 NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West leads a Diamond and after winning first trick what should you play next ?

 

After winning the first trick you must count your winners and possible winners in order to break the contract.  Initially you have two winners therefore partner will have to provide 2 more if you have any chance of defeating the contract.

Playing another Diamond has no future and will almost certainly set up Declarer’s Queen. (Partner led the 9 promising nothing in Diamonds). Playing trumps is too passive. Playing clubs will also help declarer on his way since there is a source of potential tricks in dummy in Clubs. This only leaves Hearts. So at trick 2 you have to switch to the ©10.

Now declarer can no longer muster up 10 tricks before you can grab four. With the Heart switch you will now come to 4 defensive tricks. You will win Ace King of Diamonds and partner will win his 2 Kings.

return to homepage