The measure of a man

If, as a philosopher said, the measure of a man is how he treats the people who can do him no good, how should you treat your partner at the bridge table?

Your success depends on how well your partner functions. He is on your side. You should be supportive in good times and bad. Moreover, you need to take care of your partner. Even if he is a world-class player, you must help him avoid mistakes.

Against today’s four hearts, West led his singleton spade, and East took the ten, king and ace. West discarded the eight and seven of clubs, encouraging, so East next led the jack of clubs.

South rose with his ace and cashed the A-K of diamonds. He led a trump to dummy’s seven, ruffed a diamond, went back to the jack of trumps and ruffed a diamond. South then drew West’s last trump with the ace and discarded his club loser on the good fifth diamond. His last trump won the 13th trick. Making four.

East-West then “discussed” the result. West said that East should have led a trump at Trick Four, removing a vital entry to dummy before South unblocked his high diamonds. East replied that he relaxed when West signaled with a high club; he thought West had the ace. West asserted that if he had held the ace of clubs, he would have ruffed East’s third high spade to cash his ace.

East made a mistake, but a supportive West would have assumed part of the blame. West knows he has the diamonds under control, so South will fail unless he has enough entries to dummy to set up and cash the fifth diamond. West should have ruffed East’s third spade winner to lead a trump.