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Posted on Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 5 a.m.

Bridge column, July 26: Defenders need entry cards also

By Philip Alder

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Mary Lou Retton, who won one gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, said about her training regimen: "I gave up my childhood. I missed proms and games and high-school events, and people said it was awful. I say it was a good trade."

Her hard work gained her entry -- the fifth letter of my "trade" acronym -- into the United States Olympic team. Bridge players should always keep their eyes on entries. It is easier for declarer, who can see all of his assets. But for the defenders, it is no use having winners ready to be cashed if that player does not have an entry card to gain the lead.

In this deal, how should East hope to defeat three no-trump after West leads a fourth-highest spade four?

When the dummy comes down, East should count up the points. South showed 15-17, dummy has 12, and East holds 10. That leaves only 1-3 for West. If West has king-fifth of spades, there is no danger. But if West has only the spade jack, he cannot have an entry card in another suit.

East must reject the usual defense of winning with the spade ace (third hand high) and returning the queen. South would duck, take the third spade, and run the club queen to collect an overtrick.

Instead, East must smoothly play his spade queen at trick one.

Yes, if South ducks, he makes his contract. But why would he? That would be suicidal if West has the spade ace-jack and club king. Instead, South will win the first trick and take the club finesse. But East wins with his king, cashes the spade ace, and leads his last spade for down one.

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