A large book with many graphics

A new book looking at modern methods is “Players Quick Reference Companion” by Larry Harris (Baron Barclay). According to the front cover, it is for serious nonexperts. In 106 letter-size pages, the reader gets help with lots of graphics and quizzes. I guess most people will enjoy reading this book, but a few will go cross-eyed!

It is mostly about bidding, but there are 10 pages devoted to opening leads, defensive signals and deceptive declarer-play.

In this problem deal from the book, how should South plan the play in three no-trump? West leads the spade nine: three, king, ace.

South had a close decision on the second round of the auction. A twono-trump rebid would have shown a good 18 to 20 points (more than an immediate one-no-trump overcall), but he correctly judged that this hand was worth slightly more.

South starts with seven top tricks: two spades (given the first trick), one heart and four clubs. So, he must take two diamond tricks. If only declarer had a third diamond. But maybe East will make a mistake, taking the first diamond trick (most unlikely, except against someone who learned the game only 10 minutes ago) or ducking the first two diamond tricks (more likely).

However, West will signal count in diamonds. It is South’s job to disrupt that signal.

At trick two, declarer must lead the diamond seven. Then, when the second diamond honor is led from the board, East will have to guess whether his partner started with the doubleton five-three (duck his ace) or the tripleton nine-eight-five (win this trick)..