Writing and playing

A reader asks how long I take to write a column and how many per day I can turn out. The answers are (1) longer than I used to, and (2) fewer than I once did.

Producing a draft actually takes only a few minutes. But locating a deal with an instructive point, checking the analysis, and coming up with a setting in which to present the deal take time. My draft is invariably too long, and cutting it to the 150 words I’m allotted can be taxing. Then come proofreading, re-checking and consulting with my independent checker and my editor.

Declaring a contract is a somewhat similar process. When declarer sees the opening lead and dummy, he will take a minute or two to plan. He must not succumb to impulse. At some point in the play, he may pause to reconsider. An average deal takes eight minutes.

Today’s South plays at four spades. What should be his plan when West leads a low diamond?

South is safe for an overtrick if East has the ace of hearts, but if West has it, and East has the king of clubs, South is at risk of losing a club and three hearts. He must focus on keeping East out of the lead — with an “avoidance” play.

South ruffs East’s king of diamonds at Trick One, leads a trump to dummy and returns a diamond. If East’s ace covers, South ruffs, leads a trump to dummy and leads the last diamond, pitching a club.

West wins and leads a club, and South takes the ace and returns the jack, planning to let it ride if East plays low. No matter how the cards lie, South loses at most three tricks.

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