BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

SouTH opened 1NT (strong) and North bid a ‘Stayman’ 2 ♣ . When South denied with 2 ♦ , North raised to 3NT. You, West, lead the ♣ 6. Partner wins with the ♣ A and returns the ♣ Q, South playing the

♣ 2. Plan the defence. Very seldom does a player open 1NT holding a fivecard major, but that’s not to say he won’t make this opening with a five-card minor. He can’t have five clubs, but here the danger is that, lacking four cards in either major, he has four clubs and that east started with the ♣ A-Q doubleton.

If you allow east’s ♣ Q to hold, he may have no other club to play back to you, and your only side entry is the ♦ A. South may well hold the ♣ J 7 5 2.

Overtake the ♣ Q with the ♣ K, which knocks out dummy’s ♣ 10, and continue with the ♣ 9. you will establish a club trick for South, but he won’t be able to make nine tricks without opening up diamonds, at which point you come up with the ♦ A and cash your master clubs. How essential it is to listen to the bidding and use your knowledge to your advantage!