Contract Bridge

Most game-going hands are played in notrump or a major suit, largely because it is easier to score nine or 10 tricks in those contracts than 11 in a minor suit. But hands do occur where the best contract is five clubs or five diamonds, and here is a case in point.

South opened one diamond,

raised by North to three diamonds (forcing). Since South’s hand was suit-oriented and his partner had avoided notrump, it seemed that the best shot for game was probably five diamonds, so South bid it straightaway.

West made the normal lead

of the king of hearts, and this gave declarer a chance to show his wares. He could see three potential losers -- two spades and a club -- and his primary task was to limit himself to one spade loser, if possible.

So, after winning the heart and cashing the Q-A of diamonds, he led a low club toward dummy, planning to play the seven if West followed low. But West put up the nine, forcing declarer to win with the king.

A heart was ruffed and another low club led. This time West had to play low, and the seven lost to the jack. East could do no better than return a heart, ruffed by South.

Declarer then led a club to the ace, returned to his hand with a trump and discarded two of dummy’s spades on the 10-8 of clubs. As a result, his only losers were a club and a spade.

In bringing home the contract, South went to great lengths to prevent the dangerous opponent -- West, in this case -- from gaining the lead while he developed his clubs. Had South instead made the lazier play of the A-K and another club, West could have defeated the contract by shifting to a spade.

Tomorrow: Good partnership defense.