Deal Un In: Play second hand high

The contributor writes:

“Don’t print this if you feel that (the) second hand should always play low. Computer bridge condones second-hand high due to the time element. South played low from the dummy, which picked up East’s 10. South played the queen of clubs from his hand, which took with his ace. West led a small spade to the ace in the dummy.

“South could count just eight tricks, so he needed a diamond trick. Unfortunately, West had the ace and rattled off three spades for down one. South says, ‘I don’t see where I went wrong, do you?’”

His partner explained:

“If you played the spade ace at trick one and then a club to the queen in your hand, West will play a low spade to East’s 10 and then you must duck. East cannot make a play that will hurt you. A diamond lead by East would be best, but you still make three notrump.”

If North had overcalled with one notrump instead of a takeout double, he would have played the hand in the three notrump contract, which would give this story a different slant.

Donna Swan is a resident of Longboat Key, an ardent bridge player and an American Contract Bridge League certified director who plays “for the fun of it.”

WHERE TO PLAY

Bayfront Park
Recreation Center
Duplicate bridge games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact Larry Auerbach at 758-2017 to reserve your spot.