NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Friday, February 12, 2021

East won the heart king, cashed the ace and delivered the ruff. West switched to the king of clubs for dummy's ace. The deuce of spades was continued for the jack, king and six. A second one was advanced but South inserted the ten when West followed with the eight. The ace of spades extracted the queen and a club was discarded from dummy on the fourth diamond winner, resulting in ten tricks. The early play intimated that West owned spade length and restricted choice considerations also contributed to South's successful play of the trump suit. West should not begin with the singleton because he is not interested in ruffs. He should start with the king of clubs where the game will be in some jeopardy. West is assured of a trump winner on this layout regardless of declarer's play of the suit. North's boost to the major suit game was a tad aggressive but he did own two aces and a king in addition to a ruffing value. He, therefore, elected to advance to game. An invitational rebid of three spades would have been swiftly passed out. 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 2021 Torstar Syndication Services