Do not let down your partner

Alan Ladd said, “I never fail to feel let down when I see myself on the screen.” Many of us are our own harshest critic. But at the bridge table, try not to let down your partner. When he finds a good play, make that as clear as possible to him — without illegally smiling or crying out, “Way to go, partner!”

In today’s deal, South was in three no-trump. West led his fourth-highest heart. What might have happened after that?

North did not like jumping to three no-trump, knowing that his side had only three or four hearts between them, but he correctly doubted that five clubs would be making. Just go for the ninetrick game and hope for the best.

This contract was played five times. (Other tables in a duplicate stopped in three clubs, just making.)

Twice, East took the first trick with his heart ace and understandably returned the heart four (his original fourth-highest). Then, though, South immediately claimed 10 tricks: four spades, one heart and five clubs.

Thrice, East did better, shifting to the diamond king at trick two. It was now that each West let down his partner. All three played a discouraging diamond five, using standard signals. Each West should have realized that partner had done exactly the right thing. He should have signaled enthusiastically with the diamond 10. Then no doubt East would have continued with the diamond two, and the defenders would have taken one heart and four diamonds.

Signal accurately to your partner.