BRIDGE
Danger signal
Andrew Robson
ONE OF the essential tools of co- operation between defenders is the Suit Preference Signal.
In this country it is often referred to as 'McKenney' after an American who assist- ed in its development (though, strangely, I have never heard his name mentioned across the pond). Two loyal members of my bridge club, Robert Phillipson and Keith Beauchamp Kerr, conducted a flaw- less defence that would have required pure guesswork without the Signal.
Dealer South Neither Side Vulnerable The Bidding South West North East 44 pass pass 14 pass 1NT pass pass West led his singleton *5 and declarer played low from dummy and beat East's • 9 with •Q.
He led a sneaky 49 at the second trick, doubtless hoping West would duck 4A. But East won that card and returned a second • . But not just any old • — the size of his return was the all-important Suit Preference Signal.
Returning a high • would ask partner to return the higher ranking other suit excluding trumps, so East returned • 2. West trumped and duly returned the lower ranking of the other suits. His 47 lead was won by East's 4PQ and East returned a third • for West to trump with his last trump. Down one.
Effective signalling — yes — but declarer missed a chance. At trick two he should cash VA, cross to 1,K, then lead V10, and when East is unable to beat V10, discard 49. This 'loser-on-loser' play snips the lines of communication between the defenders and East's entry is removed. West can trump one • but not two and the contract cannot be defeated. Try it.
Previous page
