PDF File - Better Bridge

Q. What call might South make?A. Pass.• To compete further, South would have to bid at the three level. That would likely get thepartnership too high.• South will probably decide to pass and end the auction.• There might be some merit in either North or South competing higher for the contract butit’s reasonable for the auction to end at 2♠.The Play• Let’s see what happens if East plays in a contract of 2♠.North and South, turn your handsface down.South, lead the ♥5.Only 27 cards are face up on thetable … the East and West handsand South’s lead. Focus on theEast-West hands.NORTHWEST (Dummy) EAST (Declarer)♠ K 9 3 ♠ A Q J 10 5♥ Q 9 4 ♥ 10 2♦ A 10 4 ♦ K Q 8♣ 8 7 6 2 ♣ 10 9 4SOUTH♥5• Let’s go through Declarer’s Plan.• The first step is to Assess the Situation.Q. How many tricks does declarer need to take in a 2♠ contract?A. Eight.• Let’s count the sure tricks.Spades 5Hearts 0Diamonds 3Clubs 0Total 8• Another way to look at this is that declarer will lose five tricks. The defenders will likelytake two heart tricks and three club tricks.66