The First Winter Transnational Championship - Alpe d'Huez 2024
Thanks to the generosity of Pierre Zimmermann, the EBL was able to launch a new ...
You are in the shoes of Sartaj Hans, a very good Australian player. Your objective
is to make 3 No-Trump without seeking any overtricks.
Gill is in North and Hans in South
Contract: 3 No-Trump by South.
Lead: â™ 7.
First of all, you need to count your tricks.
You have one trick in Spades, two tricks in Hearts, three tricks in Diamonds and one trick in Clubs. You are two tricks short.
In which suits do you think you can find those tricks?
Spades can provide an extra trick. In addition, Diamonds are sure to give at least a fourth trick thanks to the quality of the spot cards, even if you may sometimes need to lose a trick in the process.
Do you let the lead run to your hand?
West does not necessarily have the King of Spades. If you don’t play the Ace and East has the King of Spades, he’ll get on lead and is likely to switch to a Club. You will then be in great danger, as the defense could get three Clubs, a Spade and a Diamond.
In fact, you need to prevent East from getting in so that he cannot play a Club.
The only way of making sure that you establish a trick without East getting in is to go up with the Ace of Spades and then handle the Diamonds in a special way: play the 10 from dummy and, if East doesn’t cover, follow with the 6 from your hand!
What can happen?
If East has the Jack, like here, your finesse is successful and you are on your way to ten tricks.
Do you have any entry problems at this stage?
No, as long as you’re careful. Start by unblocking the Ace of Diamonds, then the Ace of Hearts. Then cash all your Diamonds and finally play a Spade to the Queen-Jack. That way, you establish a second Spade trick with one of your honors and this will also serve as entry to your King of Hearts.
What if West has the Diamond Jack?
Then West gets on lead but he cannot do anything that bothers you: if West plays another Spade and East wins and switches to a Club, you win the Ace, play a Diamond to the Ace, a Heart to the Ace, then cash the Diamonds before getting back to hand with a Spade; If West plays a Club, you call for a small one from dummy.
Post-mortem
By opting for this line of play, which is 100%, Sartaj Hans made sure he would bring home his contract against any defense!
This article was written by Nicolas Lhuissier and was originally published in Bridgerama+.
Many thanks again to Frred Gitelman who offered all bridge players on BBO to learn for free to become World Class declarers!
Nice contribution. Notice however that this is avalable in depth for free in Bridge Master, level 3 (advanced).