Declarer often draws trumps so he can safely develop and cash side-suit winners. But if maintaining trump control is unlikely — maybe because of a flimsy suit or a bad break — declarer may scramble for tricks like a quarterback under a heavy rush.
In today’s deal, South judged to play at a 4-3 fit. He knew North would have responded one spade if he had a four-card suit.
South ruffed the third round of diamonds and tried to draw trumps, but West discarded on the third trump; East had control. When South led hearts next, East ruffed the third heart and led the king of clubs, and South lost a club at the end. Down one.
LAST DIAMOND
South can make his game, but not by drawing trumps. After he ruffs the third diamond, he can lead a trump to dummy, ruff the last diamond and take two more trumps in dummy, pitching a club. South can then run the hearts, and after East ruffs, South has the rest.
South also succeeds by cashing two high hearts, then embarking on a crossruff.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K Q 9 8 H A K J 10 4 D J 3 C A 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you try two spades. Partner then bids 2NT. What do you say?
ANSWER: Clearly, you may have a slam. If partner’s opening bids are known to be sound, you might risk 6NT. If he is inclined to open light, shapely hands, bid 4NT — not ace-asking but a quantitative try for slam that asks him to go on with more than minimum strength.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A J 10
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H Q 7
D 8 6 5 2
C 10 8 6 2
WEST
S 6 4
H 8 6 3
D K Q 10 9 4
C J 4 3
EAST
S 7 5 3 2
H 9 5 2
D A 7
C K Q 9 7
SOUTH
S K Q 9 8
H A K J 10 4
D J 3
C A 5
South West North East
1 H Pass 1 NT Pass
2 S Pass 3 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — D K