NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Dummy's ten held as declarer continued with a heart to advance the queen of spades. When West followed with the five, he put up the ace and disposed of a diamond on the king of hearts. A club was hopefully led towards the closed hand but East rose with the ace and attempted to cash two diamonds. Declarer ruffed and conceded the king of spades but the contract was just home. Since East had opened the bidding and did not hold the heart queen,it was clear that he held the spade king. The play of the ace of spades virtually guaranteed success and might have felled a singleton king. The contract will be defeated when declarer opts for a trump finesse. The game would finish down one when West begins with a minor. East would swiftly cash three tricks and wait for the inevitable trump winner. West could hardly be faulted for leading a heart, partner's bid suit. South's bold leap to the major suit game was not without risk at this vulnerability. However, North displayed a fantastic dummy considering that he was a passed hand. An irony is that the game might be missed when South offers a simple overcall. Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Copyright 2020 Torstar Syndication Services