Contract Bridge

In bridge, many general rules are utilized because they are usually successful. But all such rules have their exceptions, and if adhering to one in a particular deal seems disadvantageous, you should abandon the rule on that occasion.

East had to make an unorthodox play in today’s hand to defeat three notrump. The game was duly reached, although South’s notrump bid without a spade stopper was somewhat unusual. The bid was correct, however, since North’s double implied some spade strength, and South had the high-card values for a voluntary bid.

West led a spade, dummy following low, and the outcome now hinged on East’s play to this trick. Had East mechanically played the queen, in keeping with the general rule of “third hand high,” South would have made the contract. But after considering the matter fully, East played the ten, forcing

South to win with the jack.

Declarer had only seven sure tricks at this point and had to lead diamonds to try to make the contract. When he did, West took the ace and played the A-6 of spades, allowing East to run his spades for a one-trick set.

East’s play of the ten of spades at trick one was eminently correct. If South had A-J-x, the play of the ten or queen would make no difference. If South had the ace but not the jack, the ten play would be just as effective as the queen. But if South had the jack and not the ace, only the ten play would be successful.

Of course, playing the queen would have allowed East to win the first trick instead of losing it. But that was really a negligible factor. Defeating the contract was the primary consideration.