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The
first trump
Derek
Rimington
( |
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The
first trump
Derek
Rimington
( |
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DEREK
RIMINGTON, English Grand Master and international player, managed
Greater London's computer operations until 1981, a memorable year for
him for that was when he captained the British women's team to victory
for the triple crown – Common Market, European and World
Championships. He now spends much of the year with his wife Barbara as
the bridge host on worldwide cruises.
He is also a bridge author, editor and writer, contributing to
many magazines and newspapers as well being columnist for
The
Field magazine.
In
a rubber of bridge he once overcalled One Heart on QJ42 with nine solid
spades. When his partner raised him to Two Hearts he bid 5NT
(Josephine). When the response of Seven Hearts located
the two top honours in that suit, he 'escaped' to Seven Spades |
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IN
English, the phrase 'The Last Trump' is the sound of a bugle at a
military funeral. In contract bridge, its apparent converse, 'The First
Trump', may refer to the initial lead by a defender. If
that lead is to sound the death-knell of a contract it is sometimes
essential that it be the lowest one held. Obviously,
with the following trump combination
it is vital to lead the eight if a trick is not to be lost. |
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Dummy
♠
Q9
3 2
West
East
♠
J 10 8
♠ K
Declarer
♠ A 7 6 5 4 |
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There
are other situations, however, where it can
cost if a high trump is led. Hence my tip is: |
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When leading a trump,
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Another
example |
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Dummy
♠
653
West
East ♠ 7 4 2 ♠ J
Declarer
♠ AKQ1098 |
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Here
the seven, if led, could cost if it allows South to ruff twice in dummy
with the six and five, even though
West is also short in the same side-suit.
Look
at this one: |
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Dummy
♠
Q72
West
East
♠
9865
♠ —
Declarer
♠
AKJ1043 |
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The
nine or eight of trumps, if led, surrenders a second entry to dummy with
the seven. This may enable declarer to establish a side suit for
discards.
Another
reason for leading the lowest trump is that it informs partner that all
the lower unseen trumps are held by declarer. This facilitates the
counting of his hand and may indicate
a successful line of defence in preference to an alternative
which is doomed to fail. |
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The board which led to my adopting the ides of leading the lowest trump occurred over forty years ago when I was playing with Albert Dormer in a British Championship match |
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South Dealer |
ª |
K 9 6 4 2 |
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Game All |
© |
7
6 5 2 |
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¨ |
Q |
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§ |
A
J 8 |
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N |
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ª |
Q 8 |
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ª |
J 10 7 5 3 |
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© |
K
10 9 8 3 |
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W
E |
© |
J |
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¨ |
K
10 6 3 |
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¨ |
J
9 5 4 |
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§ |
7 2 |
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§ |
Q
5 4 |
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S |
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ª |
A |
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© |
A
Q 4 |
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¨ |
A
8 7 2 |
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§ |
K
10 9 6 3 |
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W |
N |
E |
S |
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1♣ |
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Pass |
1♠ |
Pass |
2♦ |
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Pass |
4♣ |
Pass |
5♣ |
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All |
Pass |
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Declarer
will always make his game on a red-suit lead; a spade is more challenging but he
can still survive. A trump lead is essential to ensure defeat of the contract.
Being of mean disposition, I led the two of
clubs although the textbooks in those days gave no guidance on this
subject. When declarer played the jack,
Lastly,
note that the seven of clubs lead allows declarer to succeed, even with Albert's
good play. South simply crossruffs spades and diamonds. In the ending he cashes
the ace of hearts and exits with a heart. He
has nine tricks and the other two must come from the lead of a defender
because he holds the king-six as a tenace over East's queen-five.
Serendipity gave me the correct technique all those years ago. Now BOLS has enabled me to pass on the message in my bridge tip.
When
leading a trump,
always choose the lowest card.
