In bridge, there are seldom fool proof hands in declarer play. But when they come, it takes a good player to discover them. For this, the declarer must have patience, to get his timing right, the ability to count and visualise the possible distribution and the plain common sense to discover as much as he can about the opponents cards.
True, at times there is no hundred percent certainty. But most often than not some logical basic moves set the stage towards the right play in the offing. Many a time the bidding plays a crucial role in determining the declarer's line of play, for it gives the declarer something to work upon. Seeing 26 out of the 52 cards and knowing something about the defender's strength and possible distribution because of their intervening bid, it would not be too difficult for the declarer to judge the positions of the key cards required for the making of his contract with a far bigger certainty than would be available to him if the opponents do not enter the biding as in our present illustration where the biding has been sweet and simple with south opening 1D and on north's support of 2D, bidding 2NT, which north, his partner raises to 3NT on the following hand, which comes down after west opens the lead with the 4S:
One look at the dummy reveals that there are 6 top tricks in the minor suits, if both not breaking, which coupled with the AK of hearts give you sure 8 top tricks. So the problem posed is where does south look for the 9th trick and how does he go about in his play to find that elusive trick without jeopardising his bid contract of 3NT.
Of course the opponents have made a devastating opening hitting the nail right on the head with the 4S card going to east's QS. This is a killing opening lead and south's prospects are already on the back burner. The 8 outstanding spades between the opponents pose a serious threat to the contract if they are not breaking 4-4. Of course if spades are breaking 5-3 the contact looks already doomed. But hold on, let me give you the second defensive trick, which east took with the KS on which, much to the apprehension of the declarer, west has signalled the 2S. What does that mean? Following the rule of 11, it surely signals more than a 4 carder with west for he originally led his fourth best - the 4 of spades and has followed with the 2S showing a minimum of 5 spades, which are all set for the running even before the declarer has the time to say stop please. With a sinking heart south awaits the third return from east and to his delight he discovers that it is not a spade but the QH. What does that connote?
Yes - of course you are right. East is out of spades holding just the doubleton KQ of spades opposite west's 6 spades. Now south's hopes shimmer again. If he can manage the handling of the minor suits appropriately. So, holding south's cards at this stage, how would you go about the minor suits? Of course you would try the diamonds first by playing the KD, QD and at this stage, you get your first huge disappointment of the bad break in diamonds. The last ray of hope for the contract lies in the club suit.
In bridge you need to follow not your instincts but logic and ask yourself the right key questions, the answers of which can guide you to the best line of play. The first question of vital importance: What if clubs break 4-1? Well, what can you do about it then should be your next question. Clearly if you are a good player of bridge, you would make a serious attempt at counting out opponents' distribution. Let take west's.
He has precisely 6 spades looking to the fact that his partner failed to lead the third spade. He has 4 diamonds for sure, already known and has followed to a heart opening. That leaves him with 2 unknown cards. If they are both clubs the club suit is breaking. If not, how can east's 4 clubs be known? The solution is simple: by playing the KH. As the cards lie.
West follows to the heart. So declarer needs to watch the 4 clubs held by east. He plays low to the ace in dummy, followed by the 10C. East, holding by now J9X, covers it with J to the QC. Declarer enters dummy with AD and takes the marked finessed pinning east's 9X under his Q8 to roll home in his 3NT contract. All he did was, to ask the right questions.
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North South
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108 J65
763 AK
A89 KQ42
A1053 KQ82
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