Hand of the week commencing
Sunday 16th July 2006
3© led. Partner wins first trick. Partner fires suit back which you duck. Declarer then plays 3 rounds of Spades what do you discard on the third round ?
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Dealer
North |
ª |
K 9 5 3
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North
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© |
Q
7 6 |
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¨ |
6
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§ |
10
9 7 6 5 |
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N |
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ª |
10
8
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ª |
J
7 4 2 |
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© |
K
8 4 3 2 |
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W
E |
© |
A
10 9 |
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¨ |
10
8 3 2 |
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¨ |
J
9 7 |
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§ |
K
8 |
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§ |
A
J 2 |
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S |
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ª |
A
Q 6 |
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© |
J
5 |
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¨ |
A
K Q 5 4 |
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§ |
Q
4 3 |
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S |
W |
N |
E |
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NO |
NO |
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1¨ |
NO |
1ª |
NO |
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2NT |
NO |
3NT |
NO |
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NO |
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You know that declarer is on thin ice here with 18/19 points opposite only 5 in dummy. Declarer is known to be long in Diamonds since he bid them during the auction.
On the third round of Spades if you decided to throw an innocuous low Diamond you have handed declarer his contract as he now brings in 3 Spades 1 Heart and all 5 of his Diamonds. How do you know to keep Diamonds ? Well if in doubt use the phrase “Keep Length with Dummy or Declarer”. On this occasion since declarer bid Diamonds you need to hold all four of your Diamonds. Throwing a Heart or even a club will halt declarer’s road to success. Now declarer will be at least one or two down. Next time you throw a harmless low card make sure you are aware of its repercussions.