FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

WAYS OF WINNING TRICKS

Of the ways of winning tricks, cashing high cards and taking finesses are easiest. To set up intermediate cards, you lose tricks the opponents are entitled to anyway. But establishing a long suit requires effort and care.

At today’s slam, South wins the first spade with his ace, preserving the king as a dummy entry. He leads a trump to the queen and takes three more rounds. South then cashes the A-K of clubs, pitching a diamond, and leads a third club from dummy.

Overtrick

When East follows, South may be tempted to ruff — with his last trump. If clubs broke 3-3, he would make an overtrick. But as it is, West will discard. If South goes back to the king of spades to concede the fourth club, the defense may take two spades.

To keep control so he can use the long clubs, South discards a spade on the third club. He can win a spade return in dummy, ruff a club, go to the ace of diamonds and throw his remaining diamonds on the two good clubs. This week: suit establishment.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ A 5 4 ♥ A K 6 4 2 ♦ J 9 7 6 ♣ 7. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two hearts, he bids three clubs and you return to three spades. Partner next bids four diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner’s three clubs was a “high reverse” that promised extra strength. His four diamonds is an ace-showing cue bid to try for slam. You appear to have useful cards. Bid six spades or go more slowly by cue-bidding four hearts.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable