SPamenan's Weblog on Bridge

Entry Planning

2011-05-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

When you play a strong club system, you need to prepare to receive many opposition bid. This happens in this deal. North open 1C (strong), East bid 1S, you double, West raise to 2S. North double, you bid 3D, North 4C and you bid 4H which become the final contract.

West opening lead is ♠Q, how do you plan the play?

Dummy

♠ A 2

♥ K Q J 4

♦ K

♣ A K 7 6 5 2

You

♠ 9 8 7

♥ 10 9 5 3

♦ A 9 8 4

♣ J 3

Many declarers fail to land this contract. They just only get 9 tricks when the club breaks unevenly. Here is the most common plans conducted by declarer.

Win with ♠ A, then

Cash ♦K

Play &the clubs; A and K.

Unfortunately, east ruff the second club and return trump.

Declarer is a trick short when East who ruff originally has only 2 trump. So, West will enjoy the last trump when declarer cross ruff.

There is a better solution to this problem if declarer can plan carefully. We need to think if the club break badly.

An immediate cash of ♣ A and K are the solution by keeping the ♦K as an entry to set up the clubs.

Say, east ruff the second club and cash ♠K and return the trump. West win with the Ace, and play another trump.

Win it in dummy, ruff club.

Diamond to the King, and ruff the club.

You can ruff your ♦A in dummy, to draw the last trump and enjoying the club.

It's very simple if you think it carefully.

Below are the complete deal.

	♠ A 2
	♥ K Q J 4
	♦ K
	♣ A K 7 6 5 2
West		East
♠ Q J x		♠ K 10 x x x
♥ A x x		♥ x x
♦ Q J x		♦ 10 x x x x
♣ Q 9 x x		♣ 10
	Declarer
	♠ 9 8 7
	♥ 10 9 5 3
	♦ A 9 8 4
	♣ J 3

Smother Play

2011-01-15T23:23:00.000-08:00

In recent No Weekend Without Bridge Tournament, I found out an interesting deal as below.

RHO opponent open with 2♣ (precision), I overcall with 2NT with ♠J9 ♥Q98 ♦AKQ65 ♣A93, LHO support with 3♣. My partner bid 4♣ as indication to have both majors. So, I bid 4♥. All pass.

West start with ♣J, how do you plan to land the contract?



	♠ 10 8 6 5 4 2
	♥ A 7 6 5 4
	♦ 10 6
	♣ void


	Declarer
	♠ J 9
	♥ Q 8 7
	♦ A K Q 5 4
	♣ A 9 3

At the least we are not in 4♠ without chance at all. With correct defense, event 4♥ is beatable.

I need to assume some key cards in order to land this contract. Heart shall be 3-2 and ♥K doubleton. It will be nice if diamond breaks 3-3.

So, I ruff the opening lead and lead a small heart from dummy. RHO win with ♥K, and thanks he switched to diamond. Winning with the Ace, I play ♠9. RHO won with ♠Q and returned another diamond.

Won with ♦K, I play another spade, RHO win with ♠K.

With no more diamond, RHO returned club, which is too late.

Won with the Ace, I cash ♥Q, both follow. Then ♦Q and diamond ruff.

Ruff a spade and run the diamond winner, smother LHO trump. A great end. However, the contract was solely saved by the defender who returned diamond. If RHO return club anytime he win, the contract shall be failed.

The complete distribution was as below.

	♠ 10 8 6 5 4
	♥ A 7 6 5 4
	♦ 10 6
	♣ void
West		East
♠ A x x		♠ K Q
♥ J x x		♥ K 10
♦ J x x x		♦ x x
♣ J10 3		♣ K Q x x x x x
	Declarer
	♠ J 9
	♥ Q 8 7
	♦ A K Q 5 4
	♣ A 9 3

"Impossible switch"

2010-11-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Defenders frequently face a difficult switch in the middle of the game. As in the diagram below, after South pass, West open the bidding with just 2♠ (week-2), North double for take out, East pass, and South jump to 4♥. After think quite a while, North pass with 19 HCP. West start with ♠A and continue spade after you make a discard. How would you defend this hand.

	♠ Q 10 4 3
	♥ A 9 4
	♦ A Q 4 3
	♣ A K
		East
		♠ void
		♥ Q 10 8 7 2
		♦ 6 5
		♣ 10 x x x x

Firstly, what will you discard? Most defenders will discard diamond on the first trick. Say, you ruff the second trick and see declarer play his ♠K. What will you return to beat the contract? If declarer has the ♦K and 5 cards hearts, nothing you can do. If declarer has ♠Kxx and 5 cards heart, declarer has 10 tricks. So, your hope is declarer has only 2 card spades and no ♦K. With this analysis, have you found the best return? The best return is diamond, and when you get another lead, lead your second diamond. This will break up the squeezed. So, don't ever discard your diamond. If you return other than diamond, West will be squeezed in diamond and spade. After a club return, won in dummy, declarer will cash the ♥A, shocked for a while and then give lead to you by ducking a heart. Win another club in dummy and finesse heart and another heart will squeeze west. Poor west is unable to guard both spade and diamond. The complete distribution as below:

	♠ Q 10 4 3
	♥ A 9 4
	♦ A Q 4 3
	♣ A K
West		East
♠A J x x x x x		♠ void
♥ void		♥ Q 10 8 7 2
♦ K 10 9		♦ 6 5
♣ x x x		♣ 10 x x x x
	Selatan
	♠ K x
	♥ K J x x x
	♦ J x x x
	♣ Q J

Can you see another way to defeat the contract? The easiest way is: don't ruff the second spade. Just discard and you will find declarer will have no way to land the contract. Defensive play is hardest part of the game in bridge.

Fail to Land in the Slam

2010-09-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Competing in match point tournament, you should play consistently good to finish in the big threes. I found this hand in the last round of the session and fail to find the key cards.

	♠ Q 6
	♥ Q 5 4
	♦ A K 10 6
	♣ K 9 3 2
West		East
♠ 5 4		♠ 3 2
♥ A 9 x x		♥ K 10 x x x x
♦ Q x xx		♦ 7 6 5
♣ J 4 3		♣ A x
	Declarer
	♠ A K J 9 7 6 5
	♥ void
	♦ J 5
	♣ Q 10 7 3

We reached a very optimistic contract of 6♠, without opposition bidding. I start with 1S, north respond with 2NT (natural), 3C from south, 3D from north, 3S, 4S,5H, 6C and corrected to 6S.

West started with ♦x, I found my self in early decision whether to finesse diamond or find out the Jack of club. After some thought, I play the ♦ A from dummy and throw the Jack from the hand.

Running 4 round of trump, I play a club to the King, East win with the Ace and return the heart. I have to find the ♣ J to land the contract. As you may see, the ♣ J was offside and I fail to land it.

Actually, as the cards located, I can save the slam. Just run all my trumps including the ♣ Q, West will be squeezed in club and diamond. Then finesse the diamond to land the contract.

Why I didn't see this line? Unfortunately, I have threw the diamond when running my trump. Oh dear, I have said goodbye to my slam with my discard. But, didn't you see, if I didn't throw any diamond when drawing trump the contract always fail if East could find the correct return? Yes, East will return a diamond, giving one trick but that's not enough for contract. So, the correct line is finessing the ♣ J.

Percentage Play (3)

2010-08-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

In a recent tournament, I found an interesting board as displayed below. The bidding is simple, 1NT from South and North raises it to 3NT.

		Dummy
		♠ 10 8
		♥ A K
		♦ 9 8 5 4
		♣ A 8 7 6 5



		You
		♠ K Q 5 4
		♥ Q 10
		♦ K J 4 3
		♣ K J 3

Contract 3NT. West started with small heart. What is your plan?

First of all, let's list some requirements to fulfill the contact. Club shall be divided evenly with the queen is on your right. What's else?

If you can count for 5 tricks in club, you have 7 sure tricks. In what suit(s) will you take the other two? One trick easily develop from spade, but it will be only the 8th, how about the ninth?

Let's analyze our chance. Will we bring home the contract if East has the ♠ A? Assume that after winning the 1st trick in dummy, you play spade. Best defense for East is to play, and you win with the ♠ K. Next you play club to ♣ A, and finesse club. Success!!! But you don't have entry to take the ♠ Q.

Another possibility is to immediately finesse the ♠ J by running the ♠ 10. But, alert defender will cover the it. Event if you have the ♠ 9, this line is only a 50% chance of success. (Remember, you don't have the nine).

How about playing the diamond? You need to steal a diamond trick first. Assume at trick 2, you play a diamond, East plays low, you have to rise with the King. When it wins, you can directly establish your 9th trick in spade. If East is an alert defender, he may rise with ♦ A, then switch to heart. You still have chance when East also has the ♦ Q, so you can finesse for the ninth. It's a difficult hand, although your combined strength is 26 HCP with a 5 running tricks, you still have difficulties to bring home the contract. In my opinion, playing the diamond is the best percentage play to land the contract.

Throw Your Winner!!!

2009-04-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

In a recent tournament, I found an interesting board as displayed below. The bidding is using precision system, South open 1D, North 1H, South rebid 1NT (12-14) and North jump to 3NT. West lead spade, Declarer hold up for 2 round and win the 3rd round while discarding heart from dummy.

		Dummy
		♠ 7 6
		♥ 10 6 5 4
		♦ A K Q 10 9 5
		♣ 6



	You
	♠ J954
	♥ K92
	♦ 43
	♣ A J 43

Contract 3NT. Declarer then run 6 diamond tricks, what's defensive plan?.

A novice defender will give an encourage signal for heart by discarding the ♥9 and then leave the ♣ A alone. Declarer then exit with club to west, who cash the spade and has to play a heart to the fork. Even if declarer can read the position correctly, west actually could beat the contract.

Here are the logic.

West is the victim of the end-play. If declarer hold the ♣K outside of ♥AQ, nothing can be done. Contract can't be beaten. However if declarer just has the ♣Q instead of ♣K, then can throw his winner and retain the ♣Ax. He will win with ♣A and play club to east ♣K who will play the heart through declarer. So, sometimes the winner shall be threw. Here are the complete distribution

	♠ 7 6
	♥ 10 6 5 4
	♦ A K Q 10 9 5
	♣ 6
West		East
♠ J 9 5 4		♠ K Q 3 2
♥ K 9 2		♥ 873
♦ 4 3		♦ 76
♣ A J 4 3		♣ K x x x
	Declarer
	♠ A 10 8
	♥ A Q 6
	♦ J 5 2
	♣ Q 10 7 2

Losing Squeeze Card

2009-04-07T21:02:00.001-07:00

Playing with robot will make you stress. I found an interesting hand during my play in Bridge Base Online (BBO) with a robot there.

Partner robot, open a strong NT (15-17) and i have the following hand,

♠ K Q 3 ♥ Q J 9 ♦ A K 3 ♣ K 9 5 4

I directly bid 6NT. Here are the hands.

	Dummy
	♠ K Q 3
	♥ Q J 9
	♦ A K 3
	♣ K 9 5 4

	Declarer
	♠ A 9 8 2
	♥ A K 8 6
	♦ J 4 2
	♣ A 7

Robot won with the King di dummy?!. Then run 4 times hearts. West follow 3 times, discard one of its clubs. Robot now continue with 3 round of spade, unfortunately the suit didn't break evenly, when East still hold the last spade. Meanwhile robot has been destroy the club establishment as it has been threw on the 4th heart although West now only 2 club left before cashing ♣ A.

Robot try to drop the diamond, but the queen still in their seat and robot fail to land the contract.

Actually, there are many ways to land the contract. After cashing the ♣ A, actually contract is still in controlled situation. Knowing that West hold 5 clubs, robot can play its losing squeeze card, spade, squeezing West if he hold the ♦ Q or endplaying East if he hold that card.

The simple way is to let west win the first trick. He will be squeeze when robot runs its winner. Here are the complete distribution.

	Dummy

	♠ K Q 3
	♥ Q J 9
	♦ A K 3
	♣ K 9 5 4
West		East
♠ 5 4		♠ J1076
♥ 10 3 2		♥ 754
♦ Q 7 6		♦ 10985
♣ QJ1063		♣ 82
	Declarer
	♠ A 9 8 2
	♥ A K 8 6
	♦ J 4 2
	♣ A 7

Play According to Contract

2009-03-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Indonesian Bridge League, a new way to select the team to represent Indonesia has just been started last week. In qualification round, we found out the distribution below. Most contracts were 6♦, and one pair reached 7♦.

	Dummy
	♠ A J 7 6
	♥ A 6
	♦ A J 5
	♣ A K J 6



	Declarer
	♠ K 5
	♥ 9 2
	♦ K Q 10 9 3 2
	♣ 7 4 3

Contract 6♦. On the bidding, North started with strong (1♣ precision, or 2NT ), East overcall with 2♥. The slam was played either in South or in North.

I was a declarer in the South and received a ♥7 as opening lead. I play the Ace and keep the ♥9 in my hand. Draw 2 rounds of trump, which divided evenly. I continue to play a small heart from dummy, lucky me as East play the ♥J, and won the trick and at the same time was threw-in. So, I claimed immediately.

In case East played small and West won with ♥10, I would be on test. How do you execute in case West play a small club? There are 2 reasonable ways to fulfill the contract. First play 2 rounds of club, if the queen does not fall, you have to finesse the spade. Other choice is to try to ruff the spade, when the queen falls, you are home. If the queen is still there, then play all of your remaining trumps and decide how cards are distributed outside.

Franky Karwur, one of Indonesian top bridge play were facing a grandslam in diamond for the distribution above. How will you bring home the contract when heart as opening lead?

After winning the heart lead, Franky played the ♣A, when ♣10 drops, he countinued with the King. Wow... the ♣Q fell down. Franky then played 3 rounds of spade and ruff it. When West has a Queen guarded, he claimed for a simple squeeze. A logic play from one of Indonesian top bridge player. Congratulation Franky.

Here are the complete distribution

Dummy

♠ A J 7 6

♥ A 6

♦ A J 5

♣ A K J 6

West

East

♠ Qxxx

♠ 7 6 3

♥ 1075

♥ KQJxxx

♦ 86

♦ xx

♣ 9xxx

♣ Q10

Declarer

♠ K 5
♥ 9 2
♦ K Q 10 9 3 2
♣ 7 4 3

Avoidance Play and Suit Handling

2009-02-11T01:04:00.000-08:00

Every time you bring the contract, you have to handle it carefully. I found out a passive lead on the contract below, but need a careful execution to bring home the contract. North started with 1D (Precision) and as South I responded 1H (may be 3 cards), when North supported 2H, I close the auction with 3NT. West, chose to start with middle spade and now your time to save the contract.

	Dummy
	♠ A J 7 6
	♥ A J 9 7
	♦ K 5
	♣ 8 6 5



	Declarer
	♠ K Q 5
	♥ 10 4 2
	♦ 9 2
	♣ A K 9 4 3

Contract 3NT.

Thanks to the lead as diamond lead will destroy the chance. However, you still have to play it carefully. Have you made a reasonable plan?

There are 2 suits where you may get additional tricks, namely heart and club. However, you have to avoid west get the lead.

What is your hope on this lay out? First, west should not have both honor in heart. In case west doesn't have any heart honor, then you shall pray that east hold the ♣ Q two or three times. Then, how do you execute it?

After winning spade opening lead in South, you should start with a small heart to the 9. Assume this fail, and east return club. Winning it, play another low heart (!!!). When west follows with heart honor, you save the contract by 4 tricks in spade, 3 in hearts and 2 in clubs. The heart handling is the highest percentage play to get 3 tricks with that combination. If you play the ♥ 10 on the first or second time then you you need another luck in club.

If the second heart finesse fail, a small club return from east shall be won and play the 3rd round in the hope that east hold the last club. If east play the ♣ Q on the second club, you may leave him winning that trick. The idea is to prevent west from getting the lead.

However, there was no reward to my careful play because west hold the ♥ K 8, so the player who started with ♥ 10 also won the contract. However the careful play will win the game in the long run.

A designed hand

2008-12-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

How do you feel as defender when facing a hand that's designed for declarer to land his/her contract? I found it many times and holding quite a bunch of high cards, I was threw in every time I won a trick. But this case, I was in dummy and saw my partner bring home the contract. Here are the complete distribution. For your information, the hand was shuffled manually.

	Dummy
	♠ J 9 7 6 2
	♥ Q 8 7 2
	♦ 6 5
	♣ 10 6

West		East
♠ Q 5		♠ 10 8 4 3
♥ K 6 5		♥ 10 9 3
♦ K 10 8 3		♦ Q 7 4
♣ A 8 7 4		♣ J 5 2

	Declarer
	♠ A K
	♥ A J 4
	♦ A J 9 2
	♣ K Q 9 3

Contract 3NT.

How do you bring the contract if ♦3 is the opening lead? In executing any contract, you have to make a plan. When you find out a difficult situation, you need to make some assumptions of card and be optimistic.

Seven tricks are in sight, 2 from spade, 2 from heart, 1 from diamond and 2 from clubs. What is your assumption on this lay out? First, west should have many high points so that east cannot attack you. Here are the assumptions: ♥ K should be with west (max 3 cards) as well as ♣ K. But the ♣ J shall be with east. Because your 4th club is too small then you need to pray the ♠ Q to drop in second round. Otherwise you need a defensive error.

So, you win ♦ Q with Ace and play two rounds of spade and see west's ♠ Q drop. Then play ♥ A and small heart (♥ J also okay, but I prefer small one). Best defense west plays small and declarer win ♥ Q and cash the ♠ J for a heart discard, west will have difficulties in finding discard. If west discard his "meaningless" club, he presents the contract to declarer. Next play the ♣ 10 for a finesse. West can't escape from end play.

First question: Why small heart at trick 4? By playing small heart you are intending to play the queen from dummy. If you play the jack, then you are not confidence enough to overtake it. If west play low on ♥ J and you play small from dummy, you bound to fail with best defense. Can you see it?

Second question: can you fulfill the contract without diamond lead? I leave it to you.

Another Interesting Hand

2008-11-27T01:02:00.001-08:00

In favorable vulnerability, right hand opponent open with strong NT (15-17), I hold ♠ 3 ♥Q 3 ♦AKJ873 ♣ 9763 and overcall 3D. All pass. West started with ♥5. Plan your play!

	Dummy
	♠ Q J 7 2
	♥ 10 8 7 2
	♦ 6 5
	♣ A Q J
	Declarer
	♠ 3
	♥ Q 3
	♦ AKJ873
	♣ 9763

East won with the ♥ K and switch to a small diamond. Not knowing the position of high cards yet, I chose to play the Ace and continue with club finesse. East won with the King and return a small spade. This return will bring home the contract. Won with the ♠ A, West return another club. Here the position after 5 tricks and defender has won 3 tricks.

	Dummy
	♠ Q J 7
	♥ 10 8 7
	♦ 6
	♣ A
	Declarer
	♠
	♥ Q
	♦ KJ873
	♣ 97

How do you continue? Ruffing finesse spade for club discard? Not logic. If you want to do that it means club divided evenly. So finesse diamond, draw one more round of trump and play heart. East was end-play. Here are the complete hand

	Dummy
	♠ Q J 7 2
	♥ 10 8 72
	♦ 6 5
	♣ A Q J

West		East
♠ A 10 6 5		♠ K x x x
♥ J 6 5		♥ A K 9 x-
♦ x x		♦ Q x x
♣ 10 x x x		♣ K x

	Declarer
	♠ 3
	♥ Q 3
	♦ AKJ873
	♣ 9 7 6 3

The interesting aspect is when East return club at trick 4. Won in dummy, finesse a diamond then declarer play a spade. If West follows the rule of second hand low, he gives declarer the contract. West will be squeezed in 3 suits: club, heart and spade.

Many ways to bring home the contract

2008-11-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

Last night I played online bridge in Bridge Base, famous with BBO. I found out an interesting board as below. You West Partner East

You	North	Partner	South
1H	pass	2H	pass
4H	pass	pass	pass

Here are the complete deal.

	Dummy
	♠ K 7 5 2
	♥ J 8 7 2
	♦ Q J 7
	♣ 8 2

West		East
♠ AJ109		♠ 8 6 3
♥ Q 10 5		♥ K
♦ A1065		♦ K9832
♣ 7 6		♣ KJ54

	Declarer
	♠ Q4
	♥ A 9 6 4 3
	♦ 4
	♣ A Q 10 9 3

I have to bring the game contract in heart. West start with ♣ 7. After winning East' ♣ K, I play Ace of trump and continue. West win the 2nd round and play a third heart. I won in dummy and finesse club to bring home the contract. On the other table, West start with ♦ A and continue. South ruffs and then play the Ace of trump. When the King drops from East, South continues with a small spade. West is in dilemma. If he plays the Ace, then declarer just need a club finesse to land the contract. Because 2 more club loosers can be discarded from diamond and ♠ K. So, West plays small spade. Won with the King, declarer then plays the ♦Q to discard his ♠ Q. Finesse club and cross ruff club and spade and West discards all his spade during the process. Declarer has 9 tricks so far and just need 1 more trick. Here are the 3 cards ending when declarer play spade from dummy.

	Dummy
	♠ 7 5
	♥ J
	♦ -
	♣ -

West		East
♠ -		♠ 8
♥ Q 10		♥ -
♦ 10		♦ 9 2
♣ -		♣ -

	Declarer
	♠ -
	♥ 9 6
	♦ -
	♣ 10

When East play ♠ 8, declarer knows that the 8 is the highest spade. If he ruffs, west will overruff and draw his trumps, so he discards his club winner. If trump was 2-2, then he is safe as he will get his 10th trick. If East started with his lonely ♥K, then by discarding his ♥J will win en-passan. So, there are many ways to land the contract.

It's not a Match Point Game

2008-09-23T23:49:00.001-07:00

There are two main types of scoring in bridge, an imp and match point game. In the former type, you can play safely to bring home the contract while in the latter you should play for overtricks, bidding aggressively such as making a penalty double on a thin contract. I found out such player characteristic on a team event. I was first to speak and opened 1S (precision), LHO overcalled 2H, partner raised, RHO made an information double, I passed. LHO bid 3D(natural), all passed, and back to me and reopen with 3S. RHO made a penalty double.

South	LHO	Partner	RHO
1S	2H!	2S	X
pass	3D	pass	pass
3S	pass	pass	X

West started with a small diamond. Here's the hands.

	Dummy
	♠ J 8 2
	♥ Q 8 7 2
	♦ K86
	♣ 865

	Declarer
	♠ A 10 9 4 3
	♥ K 4
	♦ J 4
	♣ AJ32

How do you plan the play? There is a danger you will go down more than 1 trick. You can see that 3D is a good contract. So, you have to play for 1 down at maximum. I play low on dummy, East win with the ♦A. He returns a small club. To have a better chance, I play the Jack, but it loses to ♣K. Next club I win with the Ace on East ♣Q and I play a third round of club, East win and all follow. A diamond return is won in dummy, diamond ruff and I play a small heart to Queen. Next a heart (East play the Jack) to a stiff King. West win and return the heart. I ruff. Here's the position on 4 card ending.

	Dummy
	♠ J 8 2
	♥ 8
	♦
	♣

	Declarer
	♠ A 10 9
	♥
	♦
	♣ 2

I calculate west's distribution. 5 cards heart along with 4 cards diamond and he has shown 3 cards club, hence he has 1 card spade at maximum. He has shown ♥A, ♣ K and ♦Q. So, west should begin with a stiff honor in spade. So, I lay down the ♠A and see west follow with ♠Q. I ruff my last club with ♠J with result in with just 1 down, just a flat board as 3D just books in other room. Did you recognize that West made an overcall with just 11 high card point and a stiff honor in opponent suit? It's not a match point.

Double Dummy Defense

2008-08-19T03:29:00.000-07:00

On the last session in the swiss event, you need to win as many victory point as possible to grab the championship title. However, when you are on the high ranking table, your opponent is also a good team. So, you need to play very carefully especially in the defense. I found it in recent tournament. I was first to speak and opened 1D (precision), LHO pass, partner bid 1NT, RHO pass as well as you. LHO bid 2D (majors), partner passed, RHO bid 2H. As partner was on the balancing position, he doubled for take out, I passed with: ♠ K1095 ♥ KJ105 ♦ 865; ♣ AJ.

You	North	Partner	South
		1D	pass
1NT	pass	pass	2D(*)
pass	2H	pass	pass
X	all pass

The first decision is the opening lead. Which card do you start with? The choices are ♠9, ♥10, ♦6. Club is not my choice with this holding. I chosed to start with with ♦6, declarer play the ♦Q, partner played low. Next comes the the ♣9. You win with ♣J. What next? This card will determine your team success. If you find the correct card, then your team at least will be in the second, you will be the 5th otherwise.

	Dummy
	♠ A J 8 2
	♥ Q 8 72
	♦ J107
	♣

You
♠ K1095
♥ KJ105
♦ 85
♣ A

What will play next? Spade? Heart? or another diamond? Let's make some calculation. What inference do you get with the way declarer handle the contract? It seems that declarer does not have 2 honors in club along with ♦A. Then, partner hold the ♦K. So, partner already shown ♦K with either ♣Q or ♣K. The missing honors are ♥A and ♠Q. Which one is in partner hand? If he just has ♠Q, partner will not double in balancing position. So partner must have the ♥A doubleton or singleton. As he bid 1NT, most probably he had 2 cards in heart. So, you have a double dummy defense now to beat the contract. What card will you return?

	Dummy
	♠ A J 8 2
	♥ Q 8 7 2
	♦ QJ10 7
	♣ 9

West		East
♠ K1095		♠ 7 6 3
♥ KJ105		♥ A3
♦ 865		♦ K93
♣ AJ		♣ K8764

	Declarer
	♠ Q4
	♥ 9 6 4
	♦ A74
	♣ Q10532

The best return is ♥J. If declarer cover, defender will play for 4 rounds of heart. So, declarer will only have 4 diamond tricks, 1 heart trick and 2 spade tricks, total 7. If declarer ducks in dummy, a second heart will be won by East (partner). East will return the diamond, declarer will win in dummy. A diamond to the Ace will win result in the following distribution.

	Dummy
	♠ A J 8 2
	♥ Q 8
	♦ 7
	♣

West		East
♠ K1095		♠ 7 6 3
♥ K 10		♥
♦ -		♦ -
♣ A		♣ K876

	Declarer
	♠ Q4
	♥ 9
	♦ -
	♣ Q1053

So far, declarer just had 3 diamond trick. He was in dilemma. If he ruffed a club, then play the last diamond, West will ruff and draw last trump. Although he was throw-in, declarer just collect 7 trick, 3 diamond, 1 club ruff and 2 spade trick. However, West should return ♠K!!! On the other hand, if declarer finesse spade and ruff the third round, ruff club, there is no entry to ruff another club. Either way will end with 7 tricks only. A very difficult defense. I failed to find the best defense, so our team was in 5th place.

Watch Out the Card Played on the First Trick

2008-08-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

When a defender makes an opening lead, and dummy cards are displayed, you have to take a careful action in managing the contract. Inspect the dummy carefully and think for some times before playing the first card from dummy. In the following deal, you can elimate the guess if you play carefully for the first trick. Below is the bidding:

South	West	North	East
1S	pass	2D	pass
2S	pass	3S	pass
4C	pass	4NT	pass
5S	pass	6S	all pass

West started with ♥7 and East suprises you with a ruff. Your contract is in danger when East return a club. Here are the complete distribution.

	Dummy
	♠A J
	♥A J 10 5
	♦A Q 10 4 2
	♣J 3

West		East
♠ 5		♠10 7 6 3
♥ K98753		♥ void
♦ J62		♦ K9843
♣ K75		♣ Q984

	Declarer
	♠ KQ9842
	♥Q 4 2
	♦ void
	♣ A1062

Several declarers will play the Ace on club return and play a spade to Jack followed by a small diamond ruff. Then play a second trump to dummy. When West discard his heart, declarer then assumes West is 1633. So he plays the ♦A and he has to assume that is West holding in the diamond, Jack or King. Declarer has to assume West hold an honour in diamond in order to fulfill the contract. As the cards lie, if he choose to play the ♦Q, pinning the Jack, he will succeed. He will fail otherwise. Did you notice that declarer can easily land the contract as long as he throw his ♥Q on the first trick. So, he may ruff a second diamond, draw trumps and use his heart entry to play the ♦A. When ♦J appears, he can finnese East King. So, be careful with your card play on the first trick. If declarer fail to unblock the ♥Q, West can refuse to cover the Queen. Then, declarer will be short of entry to play the diamond.

Second Hand High

2008-08-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

One of the basic lesson in bridge defense is to play second hand low. However, bridge is a game with full of exceptions. This is why bridge become an interesting game. Frequently, you have to play in a different manner, as in the diagram below. At love all, the bidding is as below:

West	North	East	South
1D	pass	1S	2H
X	2S	pass	4H
allpass

West started with ♠5 and declarer immediately play ♠J which held the trick. Declarer then play the spade to the King at the second trick. At trick 3, he continues with ♥2, plan your defence!

	Dummy
	♠ A J 8 2
	♥ A J 5
	♦ 10 9 7
	♣ 8 6 3

You
♠ Q95
♥ K5
♦ AJ62
♣ K975

If you play according to the rule second hand low, you give a chance for declare to fulfill their contract. Below are the complete distribution.

	Dummy
	♠A J 8 2
	♥A J 5
	♦10 9 7
	♣8 6 3

West		East
♠ Q95		♠ 10 7 6 3
♥ K5		♥ Q8
♦ AJ62		♦ Q843
♣ K975		♣ J104

	Declarer
	♠ K4
	♥10 9 7 4 3 2
	♦ K5
	♣ AQ2

Declarer will play the Ace, cash the ♠A, then exit with the heart, throw you in. So, before playing any card you have, please take several considerations!!!.

SUPER 1NT

2008-07-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Board 7 (Dealer: S, Vul: all) from mixed pair 17th Indonesian National Games leaved a good story. Let's see them all.

	North
	♠ Q J 6 2
	♥ K 6 3
	♦ Q 9 4
	♣ Q J 9

West		East
♠ K 874		♠ 10 9 5
♥ Q 7 2		♥ 9 4
♦ K 8 7		♦ A J 2
♣ A 7 2		♣ K 10 8 6 4

	Declarer
	♠ A 3
	♥ A J 10 8 5
	♦ 10 6 5 3
	♣ 5 3

After South pass, West open a weak (12-14) 1NT and play there. This contract is very superior as it can't be beaten!. As seen in the vugraph, North started with ♠2 and South won with the Ace. He switched to ♥10. The critical point is in this trick. West should cover this and save the contract. If South cashes 5 times hearts, then it will squeeze North in spade and club. Please look at the position after 6 tricks below.

	North
	♠ Q J
	♥ -
	♦ Q 9
	♣ Q J 9

West		East
♠ K 8		♠ 5
♥ -		♥ -
♦ K 8		♦ A J 2
♣ A 7 2		♣ K 10 8

	Declarer
	♠ 3
	♥ -
	♦ 10 6 5 3
	♣ 5 3

Now, South returns a spade. West wins and plays 3 times diamond and West discards his small club. North is being squeezed. Spade discard will make declarer home, while club discards will have the same effect. The interesting point: Is it possible to beat the contract? The contract will be beaten if West fail to cover the ♥10. South will return &spades and declarer only has 6 tricks. If West cover with ♥Q, North is entryless. For instance, after winning with ♥K, North play ♠Q. West won and play the heart to 9 to rectify the count. South club returned won in West hand to play another heart. Now if South cashes his remaining hearts, the similar position as above happened. If South switch, then South can revert back to club for his 7th trick.

Be Careful with Signalling card

2008-06-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

The Six of Diamond On the quarter final of National Club Championship 2006 in Point Square Jakarta, Geologi as a dependent champion meet Djarum Semarang. Djarum consists of Franky Karwur - Santje Panelewen and Supeno-Anhar Haitani. We bet them just 1 imp after loosing 16 imps on first 10 boards, 13-29. One imp that we collected is from the following board.

	Dummy
	♠ 876
	♥ K8
	♦ KJ54
	♣ J1065

West		East
♠ Q543		♠ KJ2
♥ J3		♥ Q109765
♦ 10962		♦ Q
♣ Q72		♣ K93

	Declarer
	♠ A109
	♥ A42
	♦ A873
	♣ A84

South open 1NT, when North invites with 2NT, South rejects and plays there. West leads Spade. After hold up spade for 1 round, I play the ♦A, West in order to give signal to his partner, play the ♦6. When East drops his Queen, declarer then collected 4 tricks in diamond. Not only that, declarer managed to collect 9 trick by running the ♣J from dummy. East is the victim of the squeeze in club and heart. -- Jakarta, 3 July 2006

Percentage Play in Grand (2)

2008-06-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

I found another grand slam board in the local game. I arrived in the grandslam with the following auction:

North	East	South	West
1H	2S	3C	pass
3S	pass	3NT	pass
4C	pass	4D	pass
4NT	pass	5NT	pass
7C	pass	pass	pass

West started with ♦K, plan your play!.

Dummy

♠ J85

♥ AKQ972

♦ void

♣ A765

Declarer

♠ A43

♥ 10

♦ A987

♣ KQ964

How do you proceed? Below are the choice: -Finesse heart, but I think no one will choose this as its percentage is only 50%. -Ruff out the diamond 3 times, but you sort of entries to do this. -Draw trumps, if 2-2, then you ruff out heart to establish it. 4 heart tricks will bring you home. -Draw trumps, if 3-1, then you have to pray to get 5 tricks heart. There is a small variation, when the trumps divide 3-1, when you are in the South, you can finesse the heart. You have better percentage if East had 3 trumps (vacant places). If, West who has long spade, then you have to pray that heart no worse than 4-2. I failed to bring home the contract when trumps divide 3(west)-1(east) and west has 5 heart to the Jack and East has a singleton ♥8. Anyway I have executed the best percentage play.

Percentage Play in Grand

2008-05-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Bridge is a game of percentage play. You will win most of the time if you bid, play and defense with the best percentage one. At love all, the biddings (precision style) are as below:

South	West	North	East
1C	pass	1H	pass
1S	pass	2H	pass
4C	pass	4NT	pass
5S	pass	5NT	pass
6H	pass	7H	all pass

West started with ♦6 and East play ♦Q. Here are the cards.

Dummy

♠ AKJ105

♥ AQ6

♦ 10432

♣ Q

Declarer

♠ 43

♥ KJ8754

♦ A8

♣ A93

How do you proceed? Truthfully this is a good grand with several chances to fulfill it. There are many ways to bring home the contract. First, to play for 5 cards tricks in spade by direct finesse to the 10 and then to the Jack (percentage play for 5 tricks). Other way is to ruff a club and grab 4 tricks spade only. This play needs a good distribution of outside trump, 2-2. The better way is to combine these two lines. Draw two round of trump ending in declarer hand (South). If trump breaks 3-1, you are in right hand to finesse spade for 5 tricks. If trump break evenly, then you can play spade for 4 tricks only. The better percentage play is to make a ruffing finesse. You will succeed if East hold the ♠Q or West has a singleton or doubleton ♠Q. Or you may change your plan if you think that spade is divided 3-3 outside. So, always combine your chances.

Doom to Fail

2008-05-05T02:36:00.000-07:00

Without any opposition bidding, you arrive at 3NT.

South	West	North	East
1D	pass	1S	pass
1NT	pass	3NT	all pass

West lead ♥6, most likely from 5 cards. How do you manage to bring home the contract? Here are the cards.

Dummy

♠ Q852

♥ KQ5

♦ AK

♣ 10864

Declarer

♠ K96

♥ J10

♦ QJ986

♣ A93

How do you proceed? As usual, you have to count your total tricks in notrump contract. You already have 7 triks, 1 from heart, 5 from diamond and 1 from club. The 8th trick can be easily establish, either from spade or from heart. How about the 9th tricks? Say, you play spade to Queen, won by East with Ace. Best defense is attacking the club. Won the 2nd club, you switch to heart for 9th tricks. West will win with &heart;A, play club and attack your entry in spade. If the ♠Q win, you will play heart. West will win and attack club to cut your 'bridge'. You eventually fail to book your contract, as West with long heart and spade Ace will prevent you to enter your hand. How about play heart directly at trick 2? Best defense, west will win with ♥A and return club. You may hold up and win the second club. Cash all winners in dummy and play spade to King. You will succeed if east has &spade;A along with club honor. Although this play only 50% chance with best defense, I think this is the best way to handle this contract. What's your opinion?

Great Defense

2008-04-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

Playing with or against world class players creates interesting moment and feeling. I had an opportunity to play with Indonesian national player, Taufik Asbi in Alex Frans Memorial Invitation Pair on April 2006. Previously, we played together when Taufik was still a student in Bandung, a nice city around 180 km east Jakarta.

This board will show the interesting moments, both in defensive play, the hardest part of bridge game because of both defensive player are involved.

The role play on this board was Ferdy Waluyan, previous famous Indonesian national player. This board showed Ferdy's capability in defense to make life difficult for declarer.

Contact died at low level 2H with no opposition bidding, North 1D, South 1H and North raised it. West opening lead was ♣3. Below are the complete distribution.

	Dummy
	♠ A1043
	♥ K854
	♦ A94
	♣ Q4

West		East/Ferdy
♠ K86		♠ J972
♥ 32		♥ Q96
♦ KJ75		♦ 10863
♣ K1083		♣ A2

	Declarer
	♠ Q5
	♥ AJ107
	♦ Q2
	♣ J9765

East, Ferdy won the first club, and switched to ♦8, ♦Q, ♦K and ♦A. Next club won by west who cashed the ♦J and continued diamond. Declarer ruff and run ♥J, but East won with ♥Q. A critical moment arrived. Let's think for a while. Knowing that declarer hold 2425 along with bad spade position for defenders, Ferdy returned a killing defense double void diamond. This is the only defense which might defeat the contract.

Declarer will setup club on heart attack. Spade return, playing the correct card will make 9 tricks. Event when declarer played the wrong spade, declarer will still land their contract by setup his long club and used their trump as entry.

With diamond return, declarer lost his control. He can not setup club anymore. It needs a careful play to fulfill the contract. There are two ways, correct placing the ♠K or the ♥9. If you placed ♠K in East, after discard club in the hand, ruff in dummy, you may play spade to Queen. As the cards lie, this plan was fail. If you place the ♠K with West, after ruffing the diamond in dummy, draw all trumps and play ♣J and club, throw West in. For all declarer who count the high card point on both defenders, you may find that both of them may have the ♠K.

There is another way to land the contact by placing the ♥9 in the West. After ruffing the diamond in dummy, discarding spade in his own hand, Taufik played ♠A and spade ruff. club ruff with ♥K and another spade ruff. He continued with club to be ruffed with ♥8, en-passan. Unfortunately, East hold the ♥9 so contract failed. Congratulation for defenders.

Second Degree Assumption

2008-04-22T04:45:00.000-07:00

Second degree assumption was popularized by Terence Reese, a great author of bridge book. I found out this theme during the Frans Waleleng Invitation Pairs last week in Jakarta. At love all, the bidding run as below:

South	West	North	East
1H	2D	3H (weak)	pass
4H	X	all pass

West started with ♦A and continue with ♦K when East signal with ♦10. Here are the cards.

Dummy

♠ 105

♥ Q986

♦ 432

♣ J954

Declarer

♠ AJ43

♥ A10754

♦ 8

♣ AQ3

How do you proceed? In order to succeed you need to place the ♣K on East. When West make a double on his own hand, you shall place all of high cards in his hand. Another assumption is ♣10 shall be with West, you will fail otherwise. When you ruff the second diamond and lay down the ♥A, West follows with ♥K. What next? A small heart to Queen, followed by diamond ruff, close the exit card. Then you play a small spade. West will win and end-played. Below are the complete distribution.

	Dummy
	♠ 102
	♥ Q986
	♦ 432
	♣ J954

West		East
♠ KQ97		♠ 865
♥ K		♥ J32
♦ AKJ76		♦ Q1095
♣ 1065		♣ K87

	Declarer
	♠ AJ43
	♥ A10754
	♦ 8
	♣ AQ3

Club return will solve declarer problem, then West return spade. Assume West return ♠K. Declarer win with ♠A and cash ♠J to discard a club. Spade ruff. East may be overruff but he will be end played. If he discard club, then declarer will land his contract with 3 club tricks. If he parts with diamond, he will throw-in with heart. A nice board.