STEPPING CAREFULLY BETWEEN THE HANDS

Alfred Hitchcock said, “TV is like the invention of indoor plumbing. It didn’t change people’s habits. It just kept them inside the house.”

A bridge declarer is happiest when he can move between his hand and the dummy’s without needing to call on an opponent for help.

In today’s deal, how should South play in six no-trump after West leads the diamond 10?

As regular readers will know, I strongly approve of North’s two-heart response, which showed at least 8 high-card points and five or more hearts. This told South that it was almost certainly a slam deal, which a "two diamonds waiting" response would not have done.

After two more natural bids, South asked for aces, then settled into six no-trump.

Declarer could see 10 top tricks: four spades, four diamonds and two clubs. There are two more winners available in hearts. It all looks too easy. However, the spade-suit blockage necessitates some care.

As seems to be so often the case, the key play comes immediately. South must win trick one in his hand, retaining dummy’s diamond jack as a key door (entry).

Then he should unblock (cash) his two top spades and continue with the heart jack. If East plays low, declarer leads his second heart and has his 12 winners.

Yes, declarer the heart jack

bridge

DOWN 1 Method of procedure 2 Account of 4 Dry 5 Act properly 6 Of the stomach 9 Number 11 Provided finance for 12 Repudiate 14 Swoop 15 Inkling

can at lead trick two, but if East ducks his ace, then South must take his two spade winners.

Copyright United Feature Syndicate (Asia Features)