Play with an Expert

West has a problem in that she has quite a good hand but lacking support for her partner’s Hearts she may well Pass, handing the problem to her partner. It is likely that East will Pass and NS will score very well making 3D. However if East risks a DBL (which in this situation shows good Hearts and a Club suit) West will be very happy to bid her Clubs. 4C or 5C will score well for EW. Another advantage of East’s DBL is that West may have a strong holding in Diamonds and be able to Pass for penalties.

Using an alternative approach, consider what would have happened had West been the opening bidder and partner responded 2H. West will know immediately that their side has game values and will bid a forcing 3C and 5C will be quickly reached. Here the same information applies, you can see your 15HCP, and partner will not venture in freely with less than 10HCP or support for your suit. Sometimes it is useful to put yourself in different if you need to consider your actions. This is particularly useful in modern bridge play as opponents open with less and less high card values every day.

There are ten tricks for N if she ruffs one Diamond in dummy and two Clubs in hand then takes the trump finesse. That’s the normal way to play the hand. Seeing all four hands it is possible to set up the Club suit for eleven tricks, even though W will make a Club and a trump in the process.

On any lead E can make eleven tricks on a cross-ruff.

Notice we like partner to pass with weak two suits. It is much easier to wait and bid later - you can usually bid alot when you hold both majors. And wouldn't it be nice to know whether it is partner with the good hand first?

This is a hand where no-on can make anything good, but everyone likes to bid these days so after two passes West will be tempted to open 1 NT. North should overcall with 2S or a conventional bid showing two suits, but won't be rewarded because as soon as they get above the level of 2C they are likely to score few match points. If West passes North may open 1C or 1S and then NS should settle in 1 NT or 2C.

On hands where anything is happening, focus on avoiding being the person who gets a bottom. I don't usually state the negative so pointedly! In fact I am a positive looking declarer and defender. But in an anything goes hand, your job is to take the tricks you have, avoid losing control, and doing silly things. How do you make this happen? Avoid taking views. Avoid playing for specific lines. Cash winners, and try to induce errors by the opponents - easy as - right?!