| Board 1: Counting Losers |
Show Detail |
Several pairs played this hand in Diamonds but only in a part score. East should show their Spades before raising Diamonds (see next interesting hand) but if they don't and are playing the Losing Trick Count then 4♦ is the right bid with a LTC=7.
West has a LTC =6, one better than East assumed, so should convert to 5♦ .
North leads the singleton Spade and every West playing in Diamonds should make 11 tricks but none did. Remember this is pairs so overtricks count and everyone in a Diamond part score should be trying for 11 if they are safely there.
Declarers in suit contracts should always count losers and make a plan before calling for a card from Dummy. What should West's plan have been?
|
| Show Answer |
West counts three to five losers depending on how the Diamonds split.
♥ J 5 and ♣ J plus one diamond if they split 3-1 or two Diamonds if they split 4-0.
There's nothing to be done about a 4-0 split but declarer can afford a 3-1 split provided they ruff the two losing hearts before drawing trumps.
West's plan should be:
Win the first Spade, play ♥ A and ruff a Heart.
Cross to ♦ K and ruff the last Heart.
Cash the ♦ A in case they break 2-2. When they dont cash the Spades and let the defence take the ♣ A and ♦ Q when they wish. |
|
|
|
|
| Board 1: Counting Winners |
Show Detail |
Two Easts remembered that just because West opened 1♦ that doesn't mean they haven't also got four Spades.
The 3♠ assumes a LTC=9 for East's simple response which East converts as they have a stronger hand than assumed.
South leads the ♦ J. What should East's plan be?
|
| Show Answer |
East can count losers and see a way to make 10 tricks unless trumps split 4-1 and Diamonds 3-1.
To counter that threat East should let the ♦ J win.
Yes that gives a possible ruff to South but n hat case you were always losing a trick in Diamonds anyway.
East must also count winners.
Four trumps in one hand, ♥ A and a Heart ruff and four Diamonds brings home 10 tricks. |
|
|
|
|