Goren Bridge

We are indebted to Matthew Granovetter, editor and publisher of the excellent Bridge Today magazine, for today’s deal.

The correct play in three notrump is to go after the diamond suit. A double finesse is called for, meaning declarer first leads a low diamond from dummy to his 10. Win or lose, declarer then crosses back to dummy and leads a diamond to his queen. This is a high-percentage play and, on this deal, would produce 10 tricks. Something happened, however, on the way to this easy overtrick.

South won the opening heart lead in dummy and led a low diamond. Instead of playing low, East played his king of diamonds. There was no technical reason for making this play on this deal, although there might have been had partner led a low heart, indicating strength in the heart suit.

If so, East might have wanted to grab the lead to return partner’s suit before partner’s possible ace of hearts was knocked out.

The play of the king had the psychological effect of making South think that East started with shortness in diamonds. There would be no point, in that case, of returning to dummy for another diamond play. South just won with his ace, cashed the queen of diamonds, and led another diamond. East grabbed this with his jack and returned a low club, allowing the defense to take four club tricks and defeat the contract. Granovetter says that he has seen this ploy work many times, though it is hard to explain why.