You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 5 a.m.

Bridge column, September 13: Find a play to avoid a guess

By Philip Adler

bri120913.jpg
Walt Disney said, "I don't like formal gardens. I like wild nature. It's just the wilderness instinct in me, I guess."

That's an interesting observation, especially considering that he owned property in the Napa Valley with orderly rows of vines.

However, moving to the bridge table, you sometimes cannot avoid having to guess what to do. But maybe there is a line of play that might eliminate an apparent guess.

That is relevant to today's deal. How should South plan the play in three no-trump after West leads the spade four: two, nine, jack?

Note North's decision not to use Stayman to try to find a 4-4 heart fit, because his doubleton was so strong. And here it worked even better, because if North had responded two clubs, East might have thrown in a lead-directing double. After a club lead, three no-trump cannot be made.

It looks natural to cash the diamond ace, cross to dummy with a heart, and run the diamond 10. Here, though, West will win with his queen and might shift to a club. What does South do then?

If the hearts are breaking 3-3, declarer has nine tricks: one spade, four hearts, three diamonds and one club. But if the hearts are 4-2, declarer will need two club tricks and should finesse now. He has to guess what to do.

Now go back. Instead of crossing immediately to dummy in hearts, first take all three top hearts. Are they 3-3? If so, cash the last heart, then take the diamond finesse. If not, later try the club finesse.

** ** **

COPYRIGHT: 2012, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK FOR UFS