Bridge Play

“Result players” are a bane of bridge. Resulters are more impressed by a poor play that works than by a good play that doesn’t.

“Is it possible to judge by results?” a club player asked me.

“Certainly in the long run,” I said. “Maybe even on a given deal.”

In my club’s penny game, South won the first heart with the king, led a diamond to dummy’s king and let the eight of trumps ride. He picked up the trumps, took the ace of diamonds and ruffed a diamond. When West discarded, South forced out the ace of clubs and claimed an overtrick.

Results aside, what do you think of declarer’s play?

HIGH HEART

South deserved to go down. If West had held the king of trumps, he could lead a second high heart. East would ruff dummy’s ace and lead a club, and West would win and cash a heart.

South should win the first heart in dummy and lead the ace and a second trump. If West won and led another heart, East might ruff, but South saves his king and loses only three tricks in all.

DAILY QUESTION

North dealer N-S vulnerable

NORTH J83 A84 AK954 J10

WEST

64 QJ10952 Q3

A65

SOUTH

AQ1097 K73

82

KQ7

You hold: AQ1097 K73 82 K Q 7. You deal and open one spade, your partner responds two hearts, you raise to three hearts, and he next bids four clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s bid of two hearts showed five or more, so your raise was correct. His four clubs shows a control — usually the ace — and slam interest. Since you have club honors, a high heart and the ace of spades, you can cooperate. Bid four spades or five clubs.