Hand of the day #352
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This conundrum was written by Patrick O'Connor and was originally published in A First Book of Bridge Problems - you can find out all about the book further down the page.
You are South, declarer in good old 3NT.
You have a strong hand with both minors, so you open 1♦, the higher of two five-card suits. Partner responds with 1♥ and you jump to 3♣ to show your strength. Partner gives diamond preference by bidding 3♦. You have a spade stopper so you try for the nine-trick game instead of 5♦.
West leads the ♥Q. How do you plan to play the hand?
Analysis
You count your winners — one spade, two hearts, three diamonds and one club. If the diamonds split 3-2 your small diamonds will become winners, making a total of nine.
Are there any problems?
You take the opening lead in dummy with the ♥A. The friendly split of the diamonds is your only real hope of making nine tricks. But if you play diamonds immediately you are doomed! You will no longer have access to the ♥K!
Once you realize there is a lack of entries to dummy, you will see that you have to cash the ♥K immediately and then start on the diamonds. They turn out to be friendly and you make your contract. The chance of the 3-2 split when you hold eight cards in a suit is about 68%, which is a pretty good bet
Key Point: Planning before you play to the first trick is vital.
A First Book of Bridge Problems comprises fifty problems in declarer play and defense for the beginning player, presented in approximate order of difficulty, with emphasis on planning the play at the first trick. The hands are presented to the reader as they would encounter them playing at the table. Unlike in a textbook, where topics are introduced systematically, there is no clue as to what type of play is required. Experienced players recognize certain standard situations without having to work them out. This does not apply to novices, who spend a lot of mental effort on them. The book will help the novice player to develop their recognition of these situations. Winner of the 2012 ABTA Book of the Year of the Award!
