Saturday, February 13, 2010

Don't draw any more trumps


9 4
Q 9 64
5 3 2
K J 6 4
10 8 6 5 3 2
3 8 7 5 2
J 10 9 8 4 A 7 6
3 2 Q 10 9 8 5
A K Q J 7
A K J 10
K Q
A 7

South opened 2 and eventually was the declarer in 6. West let the J. East won the ace and led another.

Declarer drew trumps in four rounds and switched his attention to spades. When that suit divided 5-1, he needed three club tricks, so played the A and finessed the jack, going down two when the defenders were able to also cash a diamond.

What's wrong with this picture?

Declarer has 11 tops tricks, so a superior line of play is this: After cashing the A K, declarer can see the 4-1 heart break. At this point, declarer shouldn't draw any more trumps. He should lead a club to the king and ruff dummy's 5 with his 10. Next he can lead the J to the queen and draw the last trump with the 9.

Playing this way, South can take four spades, four hearts, one diamond, one diamond ruff and two clubs -- that's 12 tricks.

1 comment:

  1. Hi MOJO! - Re you comment on Ocala DP...Yes, that's what you saw. In fact, Lois Anne thought I should buy her those "prayer beads." I considered it until I looked at the price.

    ;-))

    ReplyDelete