Read ‘Keys to Winning Bridge’

I am convinced that winning players have sound fundamental skills and avoid silly errors. My 24th book, “Keys to Winning Bridge,” is written for advancing players and focuses on factors that really determine who wins and loses.

Against four spades, West leads the 10 of hearts, and South instinctively plays dummy’s king. When East wins, he shifts to clubs. West gets two clubs, and South also loses a diamond.

South needs to curb his instincts; he must play low from dummy on the first heart. If West shifts to a diamond, South can win, draw trumps, lead the king of hearts to ruff out East’s ace, and pitch two clubs on high hearts. He loses one trick in each side suit.

East can’t prevail by overtaking with the ace of hearts at Trick One for a club shift. Then South gets three diamond discards on the hearts.

For a postpaid copy of “Keys to Winning Bridge,” just published, send $24.95 to P.O. Box 962, Fayette, AL 35555. Tell me how to sign it for you. Profits are donated.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ 106 ♥ 109873

◆ J97 ♣A Q 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you return to two diamonds. Partner then bids three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your twodiamond preference showed at most nine points, but partner is still trying to reach game. He has at least 10 minor-suit cards; a typical hand will beA4,2,AKQ82,K107 6 4. Since you have three useful honors, bid four clubs or four diamonds.