BridgeHands

Google BridgeHands

 HOME  Encyclopedia  Newsletter  Laws  Products  Services  Reviews  Tournaments  Blog  Training  Practice   HELP
 You are at:

 

Declarer Play The Bergen Way

 
 
   
 

Order Declarer Play here  Order other Bergen books


Chapter 14 :Making the Most of Your Entries ............. 145

 

Chapter 15

Don't Rely on Good Splits

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 161
Don't Rely on Good Splits

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

2
 

West   North   East     South

   --        --         --         1

 Pass      1     Pass      4

All Pass

You needed very little from partner, so you took the bull by the horns and jumped to game. If partner had a good hand and chose to bid on, that would have been fine with you.

You win the first trick with dummy’s A.

Question 1: Can anything go wrong in this seemingly ice-cold contract?

Question 2: What do you lead at trick 2?

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 162
Don't Rely on Good Splits

Question 1: Can anything go wrong in this seemingly ice-cold contract?

Answer: Yes. If one opponent has all 5 trumps, you could lose 2 spade tricks, 1 heart and 1 diamond.

Question 2: What do you lead at trick 2?

Answer: You should lead a club and ruff it. If either player has all of the missing trumps, you need to win tricks with your small trumps whenever possible. This is a perfect opportunity to win your 2.

At trick 3, you lay down the A. Sure enough, West shows out. East (in front of you) has the missing trumps, which beats the heck out of finding all five trumps with West (behind you).

You are actually sitting pretty. Cash the A and cross to dummy with the A. Lead dummy’s 8 and ruff with your 4. You have now won six tricks.

The stage is now set. Exit with a spade or a diamond. The defenders are welcome to take their three tricks in those suits.

At this point, the only relevant suit is hearts. Here are the remaining trumps:

   East
10 8 7 6
       South
K Q J 9
 
 

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Page 163
Don't Rely on Good Splits

 

Regardless of the defense, you can’t be prevented from winning all four of your trumps and making 4.

Winning your RHO’s trumps without being able to finesse is called a Trump Coup.

Here is the entire deal:

 

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

 
   East
Q 3
10 8 7 6 5
K Q
K 9 7 4
       South
A 9 8
A K Q J 9 4 2
9 6

2
 

West   North   East     South

   --        --         --         1

 Pass      1     Pass      4

All Pass

© 2004 - Marty Bergen


Chapter 16 :Squeezing is Pleasing .................................... 169


HOME  Encyclopedia  Newsletter  Laws  Products  Services  Reviews  Tournaments  Blog  Training Practice Links HELP
Contacts: Sales  Support  Reviews  Q&A    Disclaimer    Privacy    © 2005 BridgeHands   Updated 01/22/11