Hand of the day #250
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff Before you read the analysis of today’s deal...
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Few autobiographical bridge books have made much of a stir recently, but one that I enjoyed was “A Bridge Too Far?” by Tom Hanlon with Enda Murphy. It centers on the Irish bridge player Tom Hanlon and his decision to become a full-time bridge professional and poker player. Although there is more narrative than customary in bridge books, this is not necessarily a bad thing. And there are certainly plenty of deals, mostly featuring those (good and bad) played by the Irish team that has established England as the most powerful of the English-speaking countries of Europe.
Opening Lead: ♠3
Today’s deal, from the 2004 Schapiro Spring Foursomes, highlights an accurate defense to four hearts. After the spade lead was won in dummy, declarer cashed its second top spade, then played a heart to his king.
It takes card-perfect defense to beat four hearts, and Hanlon’s teammate, Adam Mesbur, was up to the task as West. He ducked the heart king, an essential part of the defense, though far from an obvious one, then won the heart continuation. Now came his second master-play, the switch to the only card that could defeat the contract — the diamond king. This locked declarer in dummy.
South knew from the bidding that West held both the club ace and queen, so to draw the last trump, he attempted to come to hand with a diamond. But East, Nick Fitzgibbon, was quick to ruff, then shift to the club that sent the game one down.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 3♥
After your partner reverses, guaranteeing extra values, your thoughts should turn to slam. But in the short term, emphasize your good hearts by a forcing jump to three hearts, showing a good six-card heart suit. Let partner tell you if he fits hearts, then you can decide how to move forward.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
If, after winning the KD with the AD in dummy, Declarer plays a club from dummy, W wins two rounds of clbs but then has to lead a Spade or a Club to give S a ruff, after which S can draw East's last trump and win the two remaining diamonds that he has in his hand.
Cancel that. W still has a D to lead!
Super defence ! Though what if partner holds the singleton diamond queen ?
If he leads a spade instead of the diamond King, can't he also set the contract that way?
I suppose club from dummy puts west back on lead in the same position as before the spade
I think this allows S to ruff in hand, draw the last trump, and win 3 diamonds (as the cards lie).