East’s 3♠ bid was preemptive, showing a long suit (usually 7 cards) and a weak hand, its purpose being to make life difficult for the opponents. And so it does, pushing N-S into an ugly 4♥ contract which has 5 top losers. West cashes his three Clubs…
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This week we start a series of hands where the key to success is counting the opponents’ distribution, in each case turning a guess into a sure thing. West’s 2♦ was a Weak Two, showing less than opening values and a 6-card suit. East further crowded…
no commentForgive the grandiloquent title, we are not talking here about Lewis and Clark, nor the HMS Beagle, nor even Christopher Columbus. We merely refer to Declarer’s intelligent (but hardly epic) play of the ♣K in the above deal. E-W Vulnerable orgive the grandiloquent title, we…
no commentThis deal follows continues the month’s theme of counting the opponents’ HCP. This is not the most swashbuckling auction ever to appear in Bridge Bites but the deal does provide a test for Declarer’s powers of deduction. Cover up the E-W hands if you would…
no commentLast week, our astute Declarer remembered that his opponent had opened the bidding, sensibly deduced that said opponent must have the missing high cards, and then played the hand accordingly. This week’s deal is a bit more difficult, as Declarer must be alert to something…
no commentWe learn to count in first- and second-grade, but somehow this basic skill deserts many bridge players in the heat of battle. West leads a low Heart and East (correctly) inserts the Jack. Two more Hearts are cashed, followed by a trump shift. “Rats!” mutters…
no commentIf you’ve seen Bridge Bites 14, 15 and 16 then by now you are familiar with trump promotions. They are not so difficult once you get the hang of them, but it takes real talent to organize a trump demotion! We are putting you in the…
no commentThis week you are West, defending 3♠. You must make three good plays in order to beat this contract. Are you up to the challenge? Both Vulnerable You lead the ♥J which holds the trick, Partner playing the Ten. Partner wins the second Heart trick with the Eight,…
no commentHere’s a deal which illustrates the technique of promoting trump tricks for the defense. In fact, as you are about to see, this deal provides three distinct examples of trump promotion! None Vulnerable East’s 2♠ was a “Weak Two”, showing a 6-card suit and less…
no commentAs West, your opening lead is the ♥A. Then you try the ♣K on which Partner plays the Seven and Declarer the Nine. Next, you cash the ♣A (everyone following). You’ve now cashed your three winners, where’s the setting trick? You can be sure that Declarer has…
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