Jennbridge: A Defensive Story

This hand is from a pair game yesterday. (board 14)

♠87532
♥A
♦ K1086
♣1086

You hold this hand and hear this bidding:  1♣ on your right, 1♥ on your left, 2♥ on your right and 4♥ on your left.  Partner leads the A♦ and you see this dummy:

Club pair game

Board 14 West Deals None Vul	N W E S	♠ A J 9 4 ♥ J 10 7 4 ♦ — ♣ K Q 7 4 3
	♠ 8 7 5 3 2 ♥ A ♦ K 10 8 6 ♣ 10 8 6

Declarer ruffs the diamond lead as you give an encouraging attitude signal. Declarer then leads the K♣ off the board and discards a diamond as your partner wins the A♣.  Partner continues diamonds and declarer ruffs.  Declarer pitches the Q♦ on the Q♣. These cards remain as a heart is led from the board.

Club pair game

Board 14 West Deals None Vul	N W E S	♠ A J 9 4 ♥ J 10 ♦ — ♣ 7 4 3
	♠ 8 7 5 3 2 ♥ A ♦ K 10 ♣ 10

You win the A♥ and pause to think about the play.  What should you play next?

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Have you attempted to count the hand?  Counting the hand will usually guide you to the correct play.  Try it now.

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Declarer started with no clubs and at least 4 hearts. You have seen 4 diamonds played already.

How many spades does she have?  She couldn't have 5, or she would have responded 1♠ over 1♣. Therefore she has at most 4.  If she is 4-4 in the majors, she would have 5 diamonds.  You decide that her hand likely contains 5 hearts and 4 diamonds, which means that she has 4 spades.  It is also possible that she has 6 hearts. That would give her 3 spades.

As you ponder all this, one thing is abundantly clear:  Partner is extremely short in spades--either one or none. Any other clues?

Yes!  If partner had a singleton spade she would have undoubtedly led it rather than laying down an unsupported ace--generally an unattractive lead.  It is possible she could have a singleton honor that she didn't want to lead, but in that case, it would have no value, sitting in front of dummy's good spade holding.

Your decision made, you return a spade.

Declarer follows and partner RUFFS!

Club pair game

Board 14 West Deals None Vul	♠ — ♥ 5 3 2 ♦ A J 5 3 2 ♣ A J 9 5 2
♠ K Q 10 6 ♥ K Q 9 8 6 ♦ Q 9 7 4 ♣ —	N W E S	♠ A J 9 4 ♥ J 10 7 4 ♦ — ♣ K Q 7 4 3
	♠ 8 7 5 3 2 ♥ A ♦ K 10 8 6 ♣ 10 8 6

Declarer scores up her 420 and partner gives you a little smile of appreciation.  Your effort at counting the hand paid off--you got a top!

See you at the table!