Goren Bridge: Sure thing

East took advantage of the vulnerability and made a very aggressive jump overcall. South, however, had an easy bid, and the normal contract was reached.

West led the queen of hearts, ducked in dummy, and continued with the jack of hearts. South played dummy’s king, winning the trick, and he was sure that West held the 10 of hearts along with the ace. West would not have risked setting up dummy’s nine of hearts, which he might have done had he not been looking at the 10. Assuming East held the king of spades, there were only eight tricks. South judged that the diamond king was not likely to be onside after the pre-empt, but there were other chances.

South led dummy’s jack of spades, covered with the king, and won with his ace. South cashed the queen of spades to confirm that spades were 7-1. He then cashed four club tricks, ending in dummy. South had a good count on the hand and was sure of the opponents’ distribution. He exited dummy with the nine of hearts to West’s ace. West was able to cash two more heart tricks, but then had to lead a diamond from his king, and declarer had nine tricks. Note that this line of play would have worked even if East held the king of diamonds. Very nicely played!

Published - November 28, 2024 09:00 am IST