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Declarer Play The Bergen Way

 
 
   
 

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Chapter 10 :Timing Is Everything ................................... 103

 

Chapter 11

Counting Winners in Suit Contracts

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 115
Counting Winners in Suit Contracts

Winning Your Small Trumps

Bridge players are taught to "count winners in notrump, but count losers in a suit contract." Although this is good advice, sometimes, counting winners in a suit contract can be more helpful.

Contract: 4
Lead:
Q
   North
A K Q
7 5 4
9 4 3
8 5 3 2
       

 

 
       South
7 6 5 4 3
A K 6
A K 7 5

A
   

Declarer won the heart lead and began drawing trumps. He was very disappointed to see West show out on the second round. South then turned his attention to diamonds, hoping for a 3-3 split which would enable him to set up his fourth diamond. But, when that suit divided 4-2, he was unable to win 10 tricks.

South was unhappy and unlucky. The question is, was he also unwise? Before reading on, consider whether or not a tenth trick was available.

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 116
Counting Winners in Suit Contracts

Declarer could have done better. He had eight winners in high cards: AK, AK, A and AKQ. If spades divided 3-2, declarer’s last two trumps would be good. In fact, if the opponent’s diamonds split 3-3, South would have been able to make an overtrick. However, if neither suit split, the only way to win two additional tricks would be to ruff twice in his hand.

When it costs nothing to guard against bad splits, good players take precautions. After winning the heart lead with his ace, South should cash his @A. Then, he can lead a spade to the board, and ruff a club.

Here is the best continuation:

Trick 5: Cash the A.

Tricks 6: Lead a spade to dummy. If both follow, draw the last trump. 10 tricks are now assured, and you can work on diamonds and try to make five. However, when West shows out:

Tricks 7-8: Lead a diamond to your king and cash your K.

Trick 9: Lead a spade to dummy’s last honor.

Trick 10: Lead a club and ruff it with your last trump for your tenth trick.

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 117
Counting Winners in Suit Contracts

Contract: 4
Lead:
Q
    North
A K Q
7 5 4
9 4 3
8 5 3 2
     West
9
Q J 10 3
Q 10 8 2
Q 10 7 6
     East
J 10 8 3
9 8 2
J 6
K J 9 4
 
       South
7 6 5 4 3
A K 6
A K 7 5

A
   

West   North   East     South

  --        Pass     --        1

Pass      2     Pass      4

All Pass

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Chapter 12 :Pesky Partscores ........................................... 123


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