More trumping losers

CONTINUING on from last week this hand is again about trumping losers in dummy.

South is in 2H after the uncontested auction 1H (12-19 points, four or more hearts) – 1S (6+ points, four or more spades) – 2D (weak with 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds) – 2H (weak but prefer hearts to diamonds) - No Bid.

The opening lead was ♣ 5 (fourth highest from an honour, although a trump lead would have been better but South has been lucky).

South should stop and count his losers (better than winners in a suit contract) before he starts to play.

Note: losers in this context are opponents’ winners. He has one spade loser as he has the ace in dummy to cover one of his spades.

He has no heart losers with his partner’s help.

He has two diamond losers so long as

dummy trumps two for him. He has one club loser.

This means that with a total of four losers, he will win nine tricks.

The problem with this hand is the timing of the play.

It is usual to remove the opponents’ trumps as soon as possible.

However, as with last week’s hand, if declarer does that dummy will also run out of trumps and will not be able to ruff diamonds.

It is necessary, therefore, for declarer, when he wins his first trick, to tackle diamonds immediately by playing a low one from each hand.

The defenders will win this trick and should wonder why declarer is not leading trumps.

Their best defence is to do it for him!

Declarer will win this trick and should play another low diamond from each hand.

The defenders will win this trick and should again lead trumps.

Declarer does best to win this trick in hand so he can lead a third diamond and ruff in dummy.

Unfortunately, because of the defenders’ cunning defence, he can only ruff one of the diamonds rather than two, but by returning to hand and drawing East’s last trump, will be able to make eight tricks.

If the defence do not switch to trumps as soon as possible South will make nine tricks and if they had led one to start with declarer can go down.

For more details on gentle duplicate sessions, will contact June Booty on 07846 397875 or junetaplin@live.co.uk for information about that or other Bridge classes. Website leisurelandbridge.co.uk