Goren on Bridge

South was a little short of the classic requirements for a response. However, had he passed instead, East-West would likely have bid to three no-trump, which cannot be defeated if played by West. We will leave it to advanced readers to work out the play in that contract.

West continued with the queen of clubs at trick two to assure himself of a trump trick. South ruffed in dummy and led a heart. East won with his queen and led a trump to dummy’s king. Declarer ruffed a heart, led a diamond to dummy’s jack, and ruffed another heart. A diamond to the queen and the ace of diamonds led to this position: South ruffed another heart, setting up dummy’s nine as a winner, and West was helpless. Whether West chose to over-ruff or to discard, he could not prevent South from taking three of the last four tricks and making his contract. We’re not sure about the bidding, but it was certainly well played!

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