Bridge In Ireland
This summer I enjoyed a two-week Irish holiday with a group led by Randy Baron, the founder of Baron Barclay Bridge Supply, now coordinating overseas trips especially for bridge players. (See baronbridgetravel.com)
| Dlr: South | ♠ A K J 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Vul: All | ♥ 9 6 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ J 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ Q J 10 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 9 4 | ♠ Q 8 6 5 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♥ 8 2 | ♥ K 10 7 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♦ K 9 8 6 5 3 | ♦ A Q 7 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ♣ A 4 2 | ♣ — | |||||||||||||||||
| ♠ 10 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♥ A Q J 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♦ 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ♣ K 9 8 6 5 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Opening lead ♦6
At a Belfast club, Baron was today’s declarer. North should have passed at her second turn, but when she raised to 2♥, Baron bid game.
Baron ruffed the second diamond, led a spade to dummy and returned a trump to his jack. He next had to start the clubs; when trump control is an issue, as here, declarer should attack a side suit early.
Making Four
West won, and when East discarded, West hastily led another club. East ruffed and led a spade, but Baron won in dummy, picked up all the trumps and claimed.
The defense slipped. Declarer’s play suggests that his trump holding is tenuous, so when West takes the ♣A, he should plug away at diamonds. Declarer cannot succeed. The defense also wins if West leads a spade or if East refuses to ruff the second club.
Daily Question
You hold: ♠10 7 ♥A Q J 5 ♦10 ♣K 9 8 6 5 3.
Your partner opens 1♦. The next player passes. What do you say?
