BRIDGE
One way to win
Andrew Robson
HOW often is a ten card suit dealt? Frequently in a goulash, but very rarely in normal play.
In spite of holding ten trumps in her own hand, Wendy Steavenson should have been defeated in her 5♦ contract. Cover up the South and Fast hands and see if you can do better than West.
Dealer North North-South vulnera- The Bidding South West North East 1V 44 5♦ double pass pass pass West's double of the final contract was understandable with two aces and a bid- ding partner — albeit a pre-emptor. How- ever, when a vulnerable opponent jumps voluntarily to game, he should be believed. You should not generally double unless you have a particularly nasty sur- prise for him — here West has not.
West led 45 and declarer won dummy's ace and correctly led ♦K, trumping East's ace. She continued by leading a • towards dummy's *J. West won *A, on which East discarded a 4. Unable to lead another 4, West led a second ♦. Declarer won •K and apparently had a 4 loser and a 4 loser. However, she simply led her singleton 4 and, having won 4A, West had to lead a major suit. Declarer was able to discard her losing .6 on the major suit winner in dummy and claimed the remainder with trumps.
Having won •A, there is only one winning play for West — can you spot it? West must cash 4A before exiting with the second ♦. Now declarer is left with eight trumps and a losing club and must be defeated.
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