More instruction on declarer-play

Another good book is “Six Steps to Winning Declarer Play” by Jay Apfelbaum (Master Point Press). It is purportedly aimed at intermediate players, but these 52 declarer-play problems would really tax my intermediate students; even the better players would trip up occasionally.

The analysis of each deal is comprehensive. The author advises that declarer always ask himself six questions: How many tricks can I take right now? How many tricks can the defense take right now? Where can I get more tricks? Where can the defense get more tricks? How many tricks do I need for a good score? (More relevant in a pair event, where overtricks can be so valuable.) What is the best way to play the contract?

Apply those to this deal from the book. South is in five diamonds, and West leads his trump.

Note that three no-trump makes only if West leads a spade.

Now let’s answer Apfelbaum’s questions. South has eight top tricks. The defenders have two. There are three ways to try for extra tricks: establish hearts, take a winning spade finesse or ruff spades on the board. The defense will triumph if declarer does not or cannot find a successful line. To score well, South needs to get home.

It should be clear from the bidding that ruffing spades on the board is the best line. Win the first trick in hand, cash the spade ace, ruff a spade, play a club to the ace, ruff a second spade, cash the club king, ruff dummy’s last club and trump the spade queen. South wins one spade, two clubs, five diamonds in hand and three ruffs in the dummy.