Have you heard tell that a bridge expert thinks in a different way to a competent
player? Do you like to challenge your everyday play? Then this hand is for you.
It was dealt to me yesterday during the knockout stages of a competition I am
playing in with my regular team from Pisa. The way I thought through this hand
generated 10 IMPs for our side.
East-West are silent as you bid straightforwardly to 3 NT. First let us scrutinise what
goes through your mind as you cogitate your dummy play. On the lead of the four
of hearts, partner tables the following:
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| ♠ | 10 9 3 | | ♥ | Q J 8 | | ♦ | A 3 2 | | ♣ | A 9 8 4 |
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| ♠ | A K Q 2 | | ♥ | K 9 | | ♦ | Q 10 7 5 | | ♣ | Q 6 2 |
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Counting three spades, two hearts, one diamond and one club with three suits
offering possibilities for a fourth what are you considering? What do you play
to trick one?
If you called for one of your heart honours you played just as I did. If I tell
you now that, when faced with three possible sources (suits), the expert looks
ahead from the very first card. So consider what is the best possible end
position to maximise your chances for turning any one suit into two more
tricks.
Here's the ending you want to reach:
Let me share the thinking. The key is to win the lead in dummy and lead a club towards
the queen. This gives you your best chance. When East goes up with the king and
returns a heart ducked by West you know the hearts are 5-3 and clubs probably
2-4. Now cash your black suit winners ending in dummy and you reach this
position:
Playing on diamonds on the second round, does not allow you to reach a winning ending even if you guess correctly, because you'll be in the wrong hand at the crucial moment.
Here is the full deal: (if you click play you can try all the possibilities for yourself)