| The gentle art of avoiding guesswork |
Show Detail |
South was Pietro Fourquet of the famous Italian Blue Team. The actual auction was so complicated I have simplified it.
West leads the ♠ 10 and you draw trumps in three rounds, West discarding a diamond.
You take the Diamond finesse, cash ♦ A, and ruff a Diamond on which East throws a Club.
You cross to Dummy with a Club. Take the Heart finesse and cash the ♥ A on which East drops the ♥ Q!
You now have 12 tricks if you cash the ♥ K. Do you risk the contract by finessing the ♥ 10 or play safe in case East was false carding in an attempt to lure you to your doom? There is a way to have your cake and eat it. Can you see what you should do?
|
| Show Answer |
Try and picture West's hand. They had two Spades. They also had six Diamonds (East only had two)' and you've already seen one CLub. That is nine cards.
You must play the ♣ A before playing another Heart. If West follows then they only started with three Hearts and you play the ♥ K to make a 13th trick by dropping the ♥ 10. If West discards on the ♣ A then they started with four Hearts and you safely finesse the ♥ 10! |
|
|
|
|
| Board 4 - plan for an overtrick |
Show Detail |
Although West only has 8 points they are worth a raise to 3♠ with a Losing Trick Count of eight (add one for no Ace in the hand)
You get a Spade lead - what is your plan?
|
| Show Answer |
You have little choice but to draw trumps and then try Hearts.
When the ♥ QJ drop you can play the ♥ 10 then ruff your last Heart good. Having done that you can play a low Club towards Dummy and end up only losing the two Minor suit Aces |
|
|
|
|