Daily Bridge Club

Counting applications

When we speak of counting as declarer, we often mean counting the defenders’ shape. But there are other things to count.

At four spades, South took the ace of clubs and lost a trump finesse. He won the club return and drew trumps, but when he led the king of diamonds next, East won and cashed a club. South won the diamond return, led a heart and misguessed, playing dummy’s jack. Down two. four loSerS

South needed some serious counting. He can count four losers: a club, a diamond, at least one heart and maybe a trump. But he can set up a diamond winner for a fast club discard from dummy.

At Trick Two, South leads the king of diamonds. When East returns a club, South takes the king and then the Q-J of diamonds to pitch dummy’s last club.

South next finesses in trumps, losing. He wins the trump return, counts East’s points and leads a heart to the king. East, a passed hand, has shown the king of spades, queen of clubs and ace of diamonds. West has the ace of hearts. Daily queStion You hold: ♠ Q 10 9 7 2 ♥ 64 ♦ KQJ ♣ A K 5. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You bid one spade, the next player raises to two hearts and two passes follow. What do you say?

anSwer: Your partner has a few values, else the opponents would have bid more. Moreover, since they have a trump fit in hearts, your side probably has a fit somewhere. Double. Partner will support your spades or bid a minor. Your primary goal is to push the opponents higher. East dealer N-S vulnerable