Contract Bridge

One of the closer probabilities in bridge concerns what declarer should do when he has 11 trumps in the combined hands missing the K-x.

Mathematically, the percentages slightly favor a 1-1 division of the two missing cards (52 percent to 48 percent). Therefore, in the absence of indications otherwise, declarer should play the ace rather than attempt a finesse when he is faced with such a proposition. The edge in favor of the drop is very slight, but it is there.

There are exceptions, however. In some hands, declarer has obtained information that indicates the finesse is the preferred play, in which case he should not blindly follow the general rule. In other hands, the finesse becomes mandatory because there is a compelling reason why it should be taken. Today’s deal provides an example of this type.

The bidding is not approved,

but that’s the way it went. West led a heart, and declarer cashed two hearts, discarding a spade from dummy. He then ruffed a heart in dummy, putting him well on his way to assuring the contract regardless of where the king of clubs was located.

Declarer next cashed the K-A of diamonds, completing the elimination of hearts and diamonds from both hands. He then led the jack of clubs.

When West produced a

low club, South also played low from dummy. It was not important to him whether the finesse won or lost. If the jack held, the slam was in the bag, because in that case only a spade trick could be lost.

And if the finesse lost to the singleton king, East would be compelled to return a spade, giving declarer a free finesse, or a red card, yielding a fatal ruff-and-discard.

Tomorrow: Test your play.