Hand of the day #212
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff In a Norwegian Team Championship, Svein-Harald...
This conundrum was written by Julian Pottage and was originally published in the book Play or Defend? 68 Hands to Test Your Bridge Skill - you can find out all about it further down the page.
South is declarer in a contract of six hearts and this, unfortunately, is the trump suit. Maybe somebody forgot Roman Keycard Blackwood!
Under what circumstances is it possible to make the slam? You may assume that any necessary entries are available, that the rest of the hand is solid, and that the defenders will not err.
You may also wish to consider whether the same goal can be achieved when the opposing cards lie differently.
If the cards lie as shown, declarer can pick up the spades by running the ten and taking two further finesses. If North or South leads the suit first, no other winning layout exists.
However, if declarer can strip the hand and arrange not to lead the suit, the situation brightens. Neither defender can lead safely play it if West has Q-J-7-x. Success is also possible if East has 9-7, Q-9 or J-9 and is the one to attack the suit. You will notice that in all four potentially successful layouts East holds the nine. It follows that if this player does lead the suit, this is the card to choose, leaving declarer a guess.
Sharpen your bridge skills with Play or Defend? by Julian Pottage, a collection of 68 hands designed to challenge your judgment and strategy. Each scenario presents a dilemma—whether to play or defend—offering insights and solutions that enhance your decision-making. Perfect for intermediate/advanced players eager to refine their techniques and deepen their understanding of the game.
