BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

a) AGAINST South’s 3NT contract, bid 1NT – 3NT, West leads the ♠K. Dummy goes down with ♠754. What should East play from his own ♠863? MOST learners, and many who should know better, play out cards without the thought that every one of them should have a message for partner.

Above, there is little to be learned from dummy’s and East’s spades about West’s holding. He might have four or more spades to the KQ, or something much better. East must warn his partner that he has nothing much to help. He should, therefore, discourage West from continuing the suit unless it is reasonably solid, by playing his three. Then, if West started with K-Q-10-x he will try to get East on lead to return it through declarer’s holding. b) WEST leads the ♠K against South’s 3NT contract (1NT - 3NT). Dummy goes down with three small spades and East holds the ♠J-6. What should he play? WHEN West leads the ♠K, East knows that West has a suit headed by the ♠KQ10. It is important to let West know that he can clear the suit himself and need not wait to put East on lead. East must, therefore, play his ♠J. Now, West can continue without losing a defensive ‘tempo’.