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Story
May 12, 1937
The Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck, Mandan, Burleigh County, Morton County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
In a bridge game, South declarer unblocks his own hand to continue leading hearts from dummy through East's king, securing the contract despite needing luck and careful entries. Includes a contract problem for four spades.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Declarer Unblocks Own Hand to Continue Leading From Dummy Through Opponent's King
MokNs (Secretary, American Bridge League)
South bid today's hand to the limit, as he realised when the dummy was spread after the opening lead.
There were three tricks that he must give up—the ace of trumps, one club and the ace of diamonds, and possibly another diamond, if East did not hold the ace.
He could not afford to lose a heart trick, so he had to play the hand in such a way as to conserve the few entries to the dummy hand, and in addition hope for a little luck in the location of the cards.
South, who had a very fine hand, was fully justified in jumping to game, even after partner's mere raise.
He needed very little from North to make the contract, but when he saw the dummy he realized that he would have to make every play count.
The opening lead was won in dummy with the ace of clubs, and a diamond was led up to the king-queen combination in his own hand. The queen held and the king of spades was taken by West's ace.
East won the next trick with the club king, and returned a trump which South won with the 10. Declarer now led the eight of trumps and overtook with dummy's nine.
The next play was the queen of hearts from dummy. East properly refused to play the king, but South, in order to get another heart lead through the king, if East held it, dropped the jack, and continued with the 10.
Again East held up the king and the 10 held. Now a low diamond was led, and East cashed the ace for the last of the three tricks to be won by the defenders.
Today's Contract Problem
South has the contract for four spades. Should he win the first trick, draw trumps and then try to guess the diamond finesse, to avoid the possibility of losing two clubs?
SOLUTION TO PREVIOUS CONTRACT PROBLEM
MokNs (Secretary, American Bridge League)
South bid today's hand to the limit, as he realised when the dummy was spread after the opening lead.
There were three tricks that he must give up—the ace of trumps, one club and the ace of diamonds, and possibly another diamond, if East did not hold the ace.
He could not afford to lose a heart trick, so he had to play the hand in such a way as to conserve the few entries to the dummy hand, and in addition hope for a little luck in the location of the cards.
South, who had a very fine hand, was fully justified in jumping to game, even after partner's mere raise.
He needed very little from North to make the contract, but when he saw the dummy he realized that he would have to make every play count.
The opening lead was won in dummy with the ace of clubs, and a diamond was led up to the king-queen combination in his own hand. The queen held and the king of spades was taken by West's ace.
East won the next trick with the club king, and returned a trump which South won with the 10. Declarer now led the eight of trumps and overtook with dummy's nine.
The next play was the queen of hearts from dummy. East properly refused to play the king, but South, in order to get another heart lead through the king, if East held it, dropped the jack, and continued with the 10.
Again East held up the king and the 10 held. Now a low diamond was led, and East cashed the ace for the last of the three tricks to be won by the defenders.
Today's Contract Problem
South has the contract for four spades. Should he win the first trick, draw trumps and then try to guess the diamond finesse, to avoid the possibility of losing two clubs?
SOLUTION TO PREVIOUS CONTRACT PROBLEM
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Bridge Contract
Unblock Play
Dummy Lead
Heart Finesse
Trump Control
What entities or persons were involved?
South
North
East
West
Mokns
Story Details
Key Persons
South
North
East
West
Mokns
Story Details
South declarer wins opening lead in dummy, plays diamonds, loses to West's spade ace; East wins club king, returns trump; South draws trumps, then from dummy plays queen of hearts, drops jack from hand to unblock, continues with 10, forcing East to hold up king twice, eventually leading diamond for East's ace as last defender trick.