East-West vulnerable.

One of the keys to good declarer play is to make use of any knowledge gained as to how the opponents’ cards are divided. Obviously, one of the best sources of this type of information is the bidding by the opponents.

In today’s hand, for example, it is possible for South to draw certain conclusions from the bidding and early plays by the defense and make his contract as a result.

Declarer apparently has to lose a spade, a heart and two clubs to go down one. But if he reads the situation correctly as he should he can make four hearts.

West leads the ace and another club. East takes the king and returns the queen of diamonds. Declarer wins with the ace and ruffs a diamond in dummy. He then leads the queen of hearts, and East plays low.

South is now at the critical point of the play. If he finesses, he goes down, since the defense must later score a spade trick.

But South should not finesse. He should realize that the finesse is almost certain to lose and instead bank his hopes on a line of play that offers a far greater chance of success.

At this stage, South knows a great deal about the opponents’ hands. West opened the bidding, and the first three plays indicated that he had the A-Q of clubs and the king of diamonds. It is therefore likely that he has the king of hearts to justify his opening bid.

Once this is conclusion is reached, there is no point in taking the finesse. South therefore goes up with the ace and ruffs his last diamond. He then cashes the A-K of spades and exits with a trump.

West wins but must return a diamond or a club, allowing dummy to ruff as South discards his spade loser, and the contract is home.

Tomorrow: >> Famous Hand.

Steve Becker