Bridge: Aug. 27, 2022

“Simple Saturday” columns concentrate on increasing essential approach and rational contemplating.

The goal of a “hold-up” participate in by declarer – ready to just take a winner to acquire a tactical gain – is normally to break the defenders’ interaction. Today’s offer displays yet another way a maintain-up can enable.

North was averse to opening in a non-match and began with one particular heart on his powerful four-card main. Towards South’s 3NT, West led the 7 of clubs, and East took the ace and returned the jack. Ought to South acquire his king or wait?

ACE OF HEARTS

If West led from a 5-card accommodate and has the ace of hearts, South can’t pay for to pressure out that ace. As an alternative, he would to start with assault the diamonds, hoping the jack fell, offering him 5 diamonds, three spades and just one club. But if West has only 4 golf equipment, South can safely and securely get rid of to the ace of hearts.

So South should duck the second club. When West overtakes East’s jack with the queen and qualified prospects the 10, East follows. Then South is aware what to do subsequent.

Every day Issue

You keep: S J 9 8 7 H A 9 6 3 D 9 6 C A J 3. Your companion opens a single club, you answer a person heart and he bids 1 spade. What do you say?

Answer: All 10 of your details seem to be “working.” You have helping jacks in partner’s satisfies, and your other honor is an ace. Soar to a few spades to invite activity. If your jack of spades ended up the ace, you would bid four spades if your ace of hearts have been the queen, you would situation a probability-offering elevate to two spades.

North vendor

N-S susceptible

NORTH

S A K Q 6

H K Q J 2

D A 5

C 9 6 4

WEST

S 10 5

H 8 5 4

D J 8 4 3

C Q 10 8 7

EAST

S J 9 8 7

H A 9 6 3

D 9 6

C A J 3

SOUTH

S 4 3 2

H 10 7

D K Q 10 7 2

C K 5 2

North East South West
1H Move 1NT Go
3NT All Move
Opening guide – C 7

©2022 Tribune Material Company, LLC.