The rule fails but may still help

Surely we all have some quirky habits. While hunting through quotations containing the word “eleven,” I found someone who also exhibits one of mine. David Attenborough, an Englishman who has done many wonderful nature programs for the BBC, said, “I’m absolutely strict about it. When I land, I put my watch right, and I don’t care what I feel like, I will go to bed at half past 11. If that means going to bed early or late, that’s what I live by. As soon as you get there, live by that time.”

Yesterday we looked at the Rule of Eleven. Here is an echo, although from a different angle. How should East plan the defense against three no-trump after West leads the spade eight?

The auction is standard. With no singleton or void, North should just raise to three no-trump. For each deal in which five of a minor makes and three no-trump fails, there will be numerous others where three no-trump succeeds and five of a minor goes down.

East should start by applying the Rule of Eleven. Eight from 11 is three. So, if West’s lead is fourth-highest, there will be only three spades higher than the eight in the North, East and South hands combined. However, East can see four: dummy’s 10 and queen, and his nine and ace. The lead cannot be fourth-highest; it must be top of nothing.

Ergo, there is no point in East’s plugging away at spades. He should win the first trick and shift to the heart queen, which naturally works beautifully here.

— July 30, 2024