Solution: DSBA Novice/Intermediate Declarer Problem of the Month

Novice/Intermediate Declarer Problem of the Month

August, 1999

This month's hand occurred at a local club game in Newark, Delaware.

MPs
Dealer: South
Vulnerable: Both

	NORTH K 5 A 8 5 4 3 A 9 K 9 7 3


	SOUTH A 3 K 9 7 6 2 K 6 A Q 6 4

AUCTION
SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
1	Pass	2N	Pass
3	Pass	4	Pass
5	Pass	5	Pass
6	Pass	6	Pass
6	Pass	7	Pass
7	Pass	7	Pass
Pass	Pass

West leads the

Q, you play low, and East discards a small diamond.

Plan the play to hold the contract to down one.

Solution

This is a tricky one, so you may want to take another look if it seemed a bit too simple. Clearly, if clubs behave and split 3-2, there is no problem. If East holds four clubs, you can simply cash the KA of trumps, strip the spades and diamonds, and test the clubs. When East shows up with four clubs, just throw West in with his high trump; he will be forced to give you a ruff and discard. However, what if it is WEST who holds four clubs? The solution is to cash the KA, AK, AK, and finally cash ONLY the A before exiting a trump.

The full deal:

	NORTH K 5 A 8 5 4 3 A 9 K 9 7 3
WEST J T 7 Q J T J 8 4 J T 5 2			EAST Q 9 8 6 4 2 -- Q T 7 5 3 2 8
		SOUTH A 3 K 9 7 6 2 K 6 A Q 6 4

This line is 100% and caters to any distribution in the club suit. Notice in the actual deal, West will be forced to give a ruff and discard, or break clubs, eliminating any loser in that suit in either case. Naturally, if West exits a small club, you play low; if he exits a club honor, you win in hand (noting that east shows out) and finesse the 9. Note that the A is cashed to remove any ambiguity in that suit following the throw-in.

Following your fine play, you are pleased to note that you achieved an average result on the board! Most were down one in 6.

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