BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 9 5
u A J 5
v K 7 4 3
w K 8 7 6
WEST EAST
x A 10 7 6 3 2 x Q J 8
u 9 6 u Q 10 7 4 2
v Q 10 9 v 6
w 4 2 w Q J 9 3
SOUTH
x K 4
u K 8 3
v A J 8 5 2
w A 10 5
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Six of x
Many bridge players sneer t the Rule of 11, perhaps because they consider it too simple and its opportunities for use too restricted. It states: "Subtract the pips on the card led from 11; the result gives the number of cards higher than the one led in the other three hands." However, there are some advanced applications that are not so easy to recognize. Consider this deal.
The auction was quick and accurate. After South's one no trump, North had something to spare for his raise to game.
West led his fourth-best spade, and East's jack lost to the king. Declarer led a diamond to the king and returned a diamond. What can East do to help his partner locate the queen of spades?
Apply the Rule of 11! That will show that declarer has no more cards higher than the six of spades in hand. (6-spot led leaves five in the other three hands -- one in dummy, three with East and one shown by declarer). On the second diamond East can safely discard the queen of spades! Declarer cannot come to nine tricks without four diamonds and, when West gains the lead with the queen, he can cash out his spades.
At the table, East chose to discard the two of hearts, declarer played low and West won. Afraid that South held the guarded queen of spades, West shifted to a club (wrongly, we think) and declarer sailed home.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services