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My “Simple Saturday” columns focus on improving basic technique and developing logical thinking.
Cy the Cynic, a member of my club and a confirmed bachelor, asserts that the secret to having a good marriage remains a secret. Here’s a secret for the defenders’ play: Keep “parity” — the same length — with a long suit held by declarer or dummy.
At today’s 3NT, dummy’s king wins the first spade, and declarer starts the clubs. East correctly grabs his ace immediately to return a spade: jack, queen. South’s ace wins the third spade, and South then cashes three clubs. West must discard twice. What should he throw?
LAST SPADE
West must keep his last spade, and he must save all four hearts, keeping “parity” with the four-card length in dummy. So West must discard the five and king of diamonds. If declarer leads a diamond next, West wins, and East gets two more spade tricks for down one.
If West ever discards a heart, dummy wins four heart tricks, and South makes his game.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 10 7 6 5 4 H J 10 3 D 6 2 C A 8 5. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, you respond (“advance”) one spade and he raises to three spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has, or should have, a mammoth hand. Your one spade promised neither any points nor decent spades, yet he was willing to undertake a nine-trick contract. Since you have a five-card suit and an ace, bid four spades. You should make it easily.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K
H A Q 5 2
D 9 8 7 4
C J 10 7 4
WEST
S Q 8 3 2
H 8 7 6 4
D A K 5
C 6 3
EAST
S 10 7 6 5 4
H J 10 3
D 6 2
C A 8 5
SOUTH
S A J 9
H K 9
D Q J 10 3
C K Q 9 2
South West North East
1 NT Pass 2 C Pass
2 D Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 2
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