“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.
Effective defense is impossible without counting. Besides counting declarer’s distribution, high-card points and potential winners, defenders must count their own tricks.
To beat a major-suit game takes four tricks. In today’s deal, West leads a spade against four hearts, and East takes the ace. Before returning partner’s lead, East should think about where the defenders’ four tricks will come from.
TRUMP TRICK?
West is unlikely to have a trump trick, and though he may have a diamond trick, he can’t have the A-K, not having led a diamond. So the defense will surely need one club. If South has the king of spades, they will need two.
At Trick Two, East must shift to the eight of clubs. If West has the king of spades, he will probably get it no matter what. This defense is not a sure thing: If South holds QJ10,K10965,A6,AKQ, East must return a spade instead. But that is a specific, unlikely hand for South.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 9 6 3 2 H 6 D K 7 2 C A Q 7 3. Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner promises long hearts — at least a six-card suit — and minimum opening strength. If your hand were a bit stronger — make your spades Q-10-6-3-2 — you could justify trying for game with a bid of 2NT. With your actual hand, with no heart support, game is too unlikely to pursue. Pass.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 5
H Q J 7 2
D Q J 10 8 3
C 9 6
WEST
S J 9 6 3 2
H 6
D K 7 2
C A Q 7 3
EAST
S A 7 4
H 8 4 3
D 9 5 4
C 10 8 4 2
SOUTH
S K Q 10
H A K 10 9 5
D A 6
C K J 5
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S 3
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Originally published at Frank Stewart