HOME | MAGAZINE: SUBSCRIBE  RENEW VIEW CART View Cart   
THE BRIDGE WORLD

DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #34

Rubber bridge
South dealer
North-South vulnerable

NORTH
A J 5
10 3
K 6 2
8 7 6 5 3
SOUTH
K Q 7
A J 9 6 5 4
4
A K 4
SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST
1 Pass1 NTPass
3 Pass4 Pass
PassPass

West leads the diamond queen.

Plan the play.

Solution

NORTH
A J 5
10 3
K 6 2
8 7 6 5 3
WEST
9 6 3
K 8 7 2
Q J 10 8
9 2
EAST
10 8 4 2
Q
A 9 7 5 3
Q J 10
SOUTH
K Q 7
A J 9 6 5 4
4
A K 4

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. The contract is in the bag if South can hold his heart losers to one. Declarer's plan should be to finesse twice through East, but the first lead from dummy should be the three, not the ten, in case East has a singleton honor. When the heart queen shows up, the rest is routine.

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1964 National Industrial Recreation Association Par-Hand Bridge Tournament by William S. Root and Lawrence Rosler.)

LEARN BRIDGE

Our learning center web pages are dedicated to teaching the game of bridge. There are lessons for first-time players, as well as for those at the elementary and intermediate levels. You can find the appropriate section, and proceed through the lessons.

BEGINNER: Learn how to play bridge if you have never played before. The beginner lessons here are designed for those who know little or nothing about the game.

ELEMENTARY: If you understand the basics of the game, and are ready to proceed further.

INTERMEDIATE: Here is a collection of intermediate-level problems in bidding, declarer play, and defense for you to practice and improve your game.