Bridge Tip # 25
by Mark Blumenthal on
May 24th, 2009
Sometimes you have to go against the percentages if that is the only legitimate way to make your contract . In the 1976 Spring Nationals I picked up A3, J76, KJ974, J102. Here is the bidding:
West | North | East | South |
Pass | 1 Club | 1 Spade | 2 Diamonds |
Pass | 2 Hearts | Pass | 2 NT |
Pass | 3 NT | Pass | Pass |
The opening lead was the ten of spades Here is the complete hand:
Dealer:
Vul: |
North | ||||
♠ | 642 | ||||
♥ | A1032 | ||||
♦ | A | ||||
♣ | AK976 | ||||
West | East | ||||
♠ | 108 | ♠ | KQJ974 | ||
♥ | K94 | ♥ | Q85 | ||
♦ | Q10652 | ♦ | 83 | ||
♣ | 854 | ♣ | Q3 | ||
South | |||||
♠ | A3 | ||||
♥ | J76 | ||||
♦ | KJ974 | ||||
♣ | J102 |
My RHO overtook with the the ten which I ducked. Spades were continued, and I had to win the trick with my ace. Obviously, if the percentage play in the club suit is finessing the jack. I if it won and the the suit broke broke three two as it it is a favorite to do I could count one spade, one heart, two diamonds, and five clubs for nine tricks. However, I had a problem. I couldn’t get back to my hand to cash the king of diamonds. My only possible entry was is in clubs. If the queen of clubs were doubleton or singleton. I could make my contract because I then would have the club entry in my hand, and and be able to cash nine tricks. Accordingly, I led a small club to the ace and cashed the king of clubs. I was rewarded because had the tbe queen was doubleton, That it was offside was offside was an added bonus because some Easts might cover the jack of clubs Bidding and making three no trump was worth almost a top.