{"id":77323,"date":"2023-10-04T10:20:40","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T08:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=77323"},"modified":"2023-10-04T10:20:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T08:20:42","slug":"foolproof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/foolproof\/","title":{"rendered":"Foolproof!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Step<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rather than relying only on the friendly break of a given suit to make your contract, you must think about a plan that allows you to make even if it splits badly \u2013 and that\u2019s right from the start of the play<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

(Dealer South. E\/W Vul.) Teams. <\/strong>As South, you are the dealer and you reach 4 Hearts after opening the following hand with 2♣, semi-forcing:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Deal
(*) Mandatory relay.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

West leads the King of Spades. North lays down his hand and it\u2019s your turn\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Deal<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Contract: <\/strong>4 Hearts.
Lead: <\/strong>King of Spades (the 8 from East).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is your initial number of winners?<\/strong>
It stands at eight, with five Hearts and three Aces in the side suits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can you establish the two missing tricks?<\/strong>
You can only get them from Diamonds:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Deal<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If they break 3-2, this is a simple formality<\/strong>. But you must be prepared to protect yourself in case they split 4-1 with K-10-8-x in one hand (hypothesis of fear).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it possible to overcome such a pitfall?<\/strong>
Yes, under the condition that you think of an elimination and endplay, based on the presence of nine trumps and the \u201cmirror\u201d character of your two hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How do you carry that out?<\/strong>
First you must eliminate Spades and the outstanding trumps without touching Clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what do you do at trick one?<\/strong>
With only one entry to dummy (the Ace of Spades), you must duck the opening lead. West continues with the Queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you react?<\/strong>
You go up with the Ace and ruff dummy\u2019s last Spade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then?<\/strong>
Draw trumps in three rounds (West has a singleton Heart).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what do you do now with the Diamond suit?<\/strong>
Play the Ace and Queen of Diamonds (East discards the Club 4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, what will happen?<\/strong>
If West, who has K-10-8 left, wins the trick with the King, he cannot play another Diamond without loss:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Deal<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Therefore, he will undoubtedly exit with a Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will be your answer?<\/strong>
You\u2019ll take the Ace and play the nine. Whoever wins this will have to give you a gift: West by now playing a Diamond or giving you a ruff and discard or East by giving you a ruff and discard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if West refuses to win the second round of Diamonds?<\/strong>
No problem. You then eliminate Clubs by playing Ace and small to achieve a result identical to that mentioned above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would it be inconvenient if East is the one with K-10-8-x in Diamonds?<\/strong>
No, not at all. The winning line of play would be the same with the Diamonds the other way round. For example, if East wins the Queen on the second round, Diamonds then become \u201ctaboo\u201d for him:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Deal<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

But could you also make your contract if West switches to a Club at trick two?<\/strong>
Yes, very easily. You would then take the Ace, draw trumps and play the Ace of Spades and ruff a Spade before playing Ace-Queen of Diamonds. In fact, only an (unlikely) Club lead would see the defense beat 4 Hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n