Declarer can see 9 winning tricks (provided the Opponents' 6 clubs are divided 3-3 or 4-2).
However Declarer must make sure to play the club suit correctly.
When running a series of winners in a suit :
play the high card(s) from the shorter length side first !
|
Declarer (W)
♠ - A 9 7 2
♥ - A K J 8
♦ - .. 9 5
♣ - .. 5
|
♣Q <
| Trick 2
| ♣2
| Dummy (E)
♠ - 8 6
♥ - 9 7 3
♦ - 8 7 ..
♣ - A K J 4 ..
|
Declarer has only two clubs in his own hand while Dummy has five. Declarer is therefore the shorter length side as far as the club suit is concerned.
Declarer must therefore play his ♣Q first, so that he has his small ♣5 left to cross over to Dummy's winners at trick 3.
The arrow direction (< or >) shows the side that will lead for the next trick.
|
Declarer (W)
♠ - A 9 7 2
♥ - A K J 8
♦ - .. 9 5
♣ - .. ..
|
♣5
| Trick 3
| > ♣A
| Dummy (E)
♠ - 8 6
♥ - 9 7 3
♦ - 8 7 ..
♣ - .. K J 4 ..
|
Now Dummy has the lead for the next (4th) trick and can play his remaining three club winners (♣K J and 4).
|
|
Look what happens when Declarer plays it the wrong way around : at trick 2 leading his small ♣5 instead.
|
Declarer (W)
♠ - A 9 7 2
♥ - A K J 8
♦ - .. 9 5
♣ - Q ..
|
♣5
| Trick 2
| > ♣A
| Dummy (E)
♠ - 8 6
♥ - 9 7 3
♦ - 8 7 ..
♣ - .. K J 4 2
|
|
Declarer (W)
♠ - A 9 7 2
♥ - A K J 8
♦ - .. 9 5
♣ - .. ..
|
♣Q <
| Trick 3
| ♣2
| Dummy (E)
♠ - 8 6
♥ - 9 7 3
♦ - 8 7 ..
♣ - .. K J 4 ..
|
Now Declarer has the lead to the next (4th) trick with no clubs left to cross over to Dummy.
Dummy's 3 winning clubs are left stranded, and there is no way that Declarer can cash them in. Declarer will therefore not make his 3NT contract !!
© 2013 Michael Furstner
|