Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Friday, February 11th, 2022


3 Comments

A V Ramana RaoFebruary 25th, 2022 at 3:18 pm

Hi Dear Mr Wolff
Since diamond J was discarded, it became patent for south to knock out diamond A as his K and ten are now equal but if west were to discard a lower diamond instead of J, south cannot play three rounds of clubs. If east shows out on third round, west gets two more tricks , neither he can finesse diamond J, west might win two diamond tricks. As West’s major suit cards are absolutely accounted , in the five card ending, south needs to judge whether west started 4234 or 4234 if so his diamond A is now bare. Interestingly, South’s ten of diamonds has no relevance now. Bridge can be difficult at times and west must surely have regretted for having been dealt that J of diamonds
Regards

A V Ramana RaoFebruary 25th, 2022 at 3:26 pm

Please read 4243or 4234 instead of 4234 appeared twice
Regards

bobbywolffFebruary 25th, 2022 at 4:17 pm

Hi AVRR,

Yes, as usual, well analyzed with, and of course, well spoken (or, in fact, written).

At least to me, one of the beautiful features of our many faceted game of, at first, being happy to being dealt the specific jack of diamonds, but then, in retrospect (or perhaps sooner) realizing, ahead of the declarer, the downside.

Furthermore, your discussion, if carefully studied, can become an important moment for some otherwise talented newbie, for a greater understanding of both declarer play and defense, allowing him or her to (sometime) being better prepared for giving less away while defending, unless, like here, little can be done (except wish for declarer to somehow er by miss timing the play).

In truth, the more an ambitious player spends time, reading, thinking and playing our game, the sooner his competitive instincts will allow him to keep getting better.