Wednesday, July 18, 2012
bridge
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x5 3
u10 4 3
v6 4 3
w8 7 5 4 2
WEST EAST
xA Q 10 xK J 9 8 4
u7 5 2 u8 6
vJ 9 8 v10 7 5 2
wK Q J 9 w10 6
SOUTH (You)
x7 6 2
uA K Q J 9
vA K Q
wA 3
The contract: Four hearts
Perhaps the best beginners’ book written, Eddie Kantar’s ”Bridge for Dummies,” has just been released in a new, updated version. This deal is from the chapter ”Playing the Hand in a Trump Contract.”
“Before doing anything else, take stock of your losers (as I have shown you); you can afford to lose only three tricks.
Hearts: No losers. Spades: Three losers. Diamonds: No losers. Clubs: One eventual loser: the three of clubs (becomes immediate after you win the ace of clubs.)
”The nerve of partner to present you with such a dummy. However you do have a ray of hope. Did you notice that the dummy has two spades, one fewer spade than you have? If you play spades twice before you draw trump, you can void the dummy in spades. You can then trump your third spade with one of dummy’s hearts, reducing your loser count to three
”You have to give up the lead twice in spades, but even if your opponents lead a trump each time they have the lead, you’ll still have one trump left in the dummy that you can use to trump your third spade. Strike one for the forces of light. Notice that an opening trump led by West and trump continuation each time a spade is led defeats the contract. Not to worry. I’m here for you. West has a normal club lead, giving you time to trump a spade.
”What about drawing trump first? Later, man, later. If you remove all dummy’s trumps, you won’t have a trump left in the dummy to take care of your third spade. It’s too sad for words.”
Inscribed and/or autographed copies of “Bridge for Dummies” can be ordered from Eddie Kantar at 2700 Nelson Way, No. 134, Santa Monica, Calif. 90405; $26 postpaid, or from www.kantarbridge.com.
2012 Tribune Media Services