Unless you’re descended from Merlin, you will lose a trick occasionally. “Avoidance” is the technique of losing to the “safe” defender, whose lead to the next trick cannot hurt. You may need to avoid losing to a “dangerous” defender.
Against 3NT, West despaired of using his flimsy hearts. He tried to find East’s long suit by leading a low diamond. It seemed to South that West had led fourth-highest from length, so South played low from dummy.
East won and shifted to the jack of spades. South took his ace, but East was sure to get back in — with a club or a high diamond — to continue spades, and South lost three spades and five tricks in all.
UNLUCKY
South was unlucky, but his play was wrong. East was “dangerous” — a spade lead from him might cause trouble — and when South ducked the first diamond, he risked losing to East.
South should put up the ace of diamonds and start the clubs. He can expect to win four clubs, plus three hearts, a diamond and a spade.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 5 3 H Q 9 D A 9 8 4 C K 7 6 5 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond 1NT, he bids two diamonds and you raise to three diamonds. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner knows you do not have three-card heart support since you have not supported hearts. Still, he suggests playing at hearts (and playing at game since he would have passed three diamonds if not interested). Raise to four hearts. Your Q-9 is excellent support.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 5 3
H Q 9
D A 9 8 4
C K 7 6 5 2
WEST
S K 7 6 2
H 8 6 5 3 2
D 3 2
C 9 4
EAST
S J 10 9 8
H J 10
D K Q 6 5
C Q J 10
SOUTH
S A Q 4
H A K 7 4
D J 10 7
C A 8 3
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — D 3
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Originally published at Frank Stewart