Classic Rewind

Are there many new plays or positions to be discovered at bridge? Our generation have the advantage of years and years of high quality writings in books, magazines, newspaper columns etc.

The result being an astute, well read and alert player often has an advantage over an opponent always trying to solve problems from first principles, as opposed to prior knowledge.

Here is a recent example from a Toronto Imp League match this week. You arrive in 5 clubs looking at :

North
♠	6
♥	87543
♦	A976
♣	K96
South
♠	A983
♥	AQ2
♦	Void
♣	AQJ1043

 

All red, your RHO opened 4S, you bid 5C, and partner being a nice guy lets you play it there. The lead is the king of diamonds and you have to win 11 tricks against any defense.

Do you see the key to the hand? It is ice cold !

You have six trumps in hand; the Ace of hearts; the Ace of spades; the Ace of diamonds; and two spade ruffs in dummy.

But there is a catch of course. Spades are most likely 8-0 from the bidding and West’s failure to lead one. If you play the Ace of spades from your hand on the first round of the suit, you will go down.

So instead if having a losing spade in your hand at the end of the hand, concede the spade trick now – simply win the Ace of diamonds and duck a spade. (If they are 7-1 after all, no harm can come from your duck)

Win the return, ruff two spades in dummy, draw trumps, and claim 11 tricks. Don’t even think about trying the heart finesse !

Here is the full layout.

 

Dealer: Vul:		North
		♠	x
		♥	87xxx
		♦	A9xx
		♣	K9x
West				East
♠	Void			♠	KQJ10xxxx
♥	K106			♥	Jx
♦	KQ10xxxx			♦	Jx
♣	87x			♣	x
		South
		♠	A98x
		♥	AQx
		♦	void
		♣	AQJ10xx

 

At my table, Roy Dalton, clearly a student of the game, found the spade duck at trick two and deservedly chalked up a 13 imp gain on the board.