BRIDGE
Imagine if . • •
Andrew Robson
VARIOUS mottos that have no basis n1 truth have stood the test of time surPris• ingly well. 'Play for the king of clubs to be singleton', is one I have often heard quo!" ed. 'The Queen lies with the nine', is another.
Dealer South North-South vulnerable 4AKQJ V6 5 • K J 9 5 + A 6 2 45 4 VA Q J 8 • A Q 106 + Q 9 2 49 8 V 10 7 • 3 2 + 10 5 7 3 3 4 3
N W E
4 10 6 2 K 9 4 • 8 7 4 K J 8 7 The Bidding South West North East pass 1V double Pass 24 2* double 2 2NT pass pass pass 3NT pass The auction was well judged by all faun players (with East having the least to get excited about) and West led VA against, the final contract. This was a well-reasoned lead — imagine dummy holding a singleton VK or, more likely, holding trKx wir declarer holding V101oot; leading '14 would allow him to continue with a low in this case. What actually happened was that he followed with VQ and declare won VK. Declarer cashed two top 4s to discover more of West's shape. Known to have ,s least nine red cards from the bidding, Ins following to both 4s marked him with at most two +s. Declarer then cashed the ac,." of clubs, West dropping 49. He led a w low and, perhaps recollecting the (totally fallacious) motto, or simply remeraberq West's activity in the bidding, rose Ow 4K felling West's +Q. He crossed to a third 4 in dummy, cashed the fourth *, led a 4 to his 48 and tabled 4J — his flint" trick. West cursed his bad luck — why (In', his opponents always guess correctly? A Have you spotted how West can lead declarer astray? Try dropping +Q under dummy's +A. Declarer is bound to play East for +10 and +9 and continue by leau- ing a 4 to his +8 .
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