Winning in bridge involves not only playing well but recognizing when you get a gift from the opponents. The following deal, adapted from an OK Bridge problem, is instructive. South is dealing with no one vulnerable. Please cover the East-West hands during the bidding and play:
NORTH
♠️ K J 7 2
♥️ K Q 10 5
♦️ 9 3
♣️ 10 7 3
WEST EAST
♠️ 9 8 4 ♠️ 3
♥️ J 7 4 3 ♥️ 9 8 6
♦️ A 8 5 ♦️ K 10 7 6 2
♣️ A 5 2 ♣️ K 9 6 4
SOUTH
♠️ A Q 10 6 5
♥️ A 2
♦️ Q J 4
♣️ Q J 8
The bidding proceeded as follows:
South West North East
1NT Pass 2♣️ Pass
2♠️ Pass 4♠️ All Pass
Opening lead: ♥️ 3
I’m in favor of opening 1NT with a five-card major. If South had opened 1♠️ and North replied 1NT, South would have had to rebid a three-card suit. Better — and more pre-emptive — to show your strength right off. (Not everyone agrees.)
But I digress. After the contract, West led the ♥️3. What should declarer do? You are the critical point of the problem.
South routinely played the ♥️5, covered by the ♥️9 and the ♥️A. Even with three heart tricks, there was no way to avoid two losers in each minor suit.
O.K., so where was the gift from East-West? South might have assumed that West had led from the ♥️J. Therefore, South should put up the ♥️10 at Trick One. Now, with four heart tricks guaranteed, declarer can reduce minor-suit losses to three.
Despite the mistake at Trick One, South can rescue the contract. Draw trump, ending in the South hand, then play a heart to the 10. It’s risky, but there’s no alternative.
Now you can look at all four hands!
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