Thursday, January 19, 2012
bridge
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
xA 7
u10 6 3
vK Q 10 9
wK Q 10 2
WEST EAST
xJ 10 9 4 2 xK 8 5
uA 7 5 uK J 9 2
v7 6 4 3 v8
w8 wJ 9 7 6 4
SOUTH
xQ 6 3
uQ 8 4
vA J 5 2
wA 5 3
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 2w Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of x
Most defenders are reluctant to play high cards seemingly willy-nilly. However, there are times when the sacrifice of a high card is essential if you want to defeat the contract. Suppose you are East on this deal and partner leads the jack of spades against three no trump.
The lead of the jack marks declarer with the queen of spades, so declarer has two stoppers in the suit. It looks as if declarer can score enough tricks in the minor suits before partner can regain the lead to defeat the contract. If that is so, it is vital that you attack hearts immediately, so you rise with the king and shift. Which heart do you return?
Suppose you shift to a low heart. Declarer will duck and, if West wins the ace, his spades wither on the vine and declarer’s queen of hearts becomes a stopper. The solution to your problem is pretty simple -- return the knave of hearts! This play ”surrounds” dummy’s ten of hearts with your king-nine. If declarer covers with the queen, partner will win with the ace and return a heart, allowing you to score three more heart tricks and defeat the contract one trick.
Appropriately enough, you will find this play in the Bridge Encyclopedia under ”Surround Play.”
2012 Tribune Media Services