SUNDAY BRIDGE

The problems in some bridge books are ludicrously difficult. Even experts shake their heads. David Bird’s problems are instructive and intended to improve your game

A potpourri of small slams:

many decades ago the British international, Jeremy Flint, advocated ‘Operation Big Deal’. What did he mean by that? He meant that when an important deal arises, such as a slam or a part-score doubled into game, it is worth your while to put in a special effort. The stakes are higher than normal and accurate card-play may yield a substantial reward.

PROBLEM 39 West North East South 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 3♠ Pass 4♦ Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Pass 6♠ All pass

North-South were playing a strong 1NT, so the 1NT rebid showed 12-14 points. South’s 3♠ was forcing; he would have used a check-back 2♣ on a hand of game-try strength. 4♦ was a cue-bid and South employed RKCB to reach a small slam in spades.

West leads a low trump, won in the dummy. When you play a second round of trumps, East shows out, discarding a club. How will you continue the play?

Bidding tip

It is important to have at least one check-back bid available after partner has rebid 1NT. The purpose of such bids is to investigate major-suit fits. (Some pairs use both 2♣ and 2♦ as check-back, with the latter bid forcing to game.) Once your partnership has decided on its check-back arrangement, you must also agree whether bids such as South’s 3♠ here will be forcing.

SOLUTION 39 How will you play 6♠ when West leads the ♠3?

You win the trump lead in the dummy and lead another trump, East throwing a club. The best plan is to guess which defender holds the ♣A and to lead a low club through his hand. He cannot afford to rise with the ♣A or you will have two club winners and a discard for your diamond loser. When the defender plays low, you will win the trick and draw the remaining trumps. You can then play the ♥K, ♥A and ♥J, throwing your last club. Even if the ♥J loses to the ♥Q, dummy’s ♥10 will be established for a diamond discard.

Which defender is more likely to hold the ♣A? West holds four trumps to East’s one. So, East has 12 vacant places in his hand for the ♣A and West has only 9. At Trick 3, you therefore lead the ♣6 from dummy. East plays low and you win with the ♣K. The play then proceeds as described above. You discard the ♣8 on the ♥J, West winning the trick with the ♥Q. You can then claim the contract, throwing your diamond loser on the ♥10.

Point to remember

The key technique on the deal is the ‘loser-on-loser play’, where you lead the ♥J and discard the ♣8. Nothing is gained on this trick directly; you are merely exchanging a club loser for a heart loser. The benefit comes when the ♥10 is established. You can then use that card to dispose of your loser in the diamond suit.