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If you remember_just one_thing
In this series Andrew, features one improtant point per Article. Bit by bit the reader will improve their game.
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Andrew:
The Power of a Five-card suit
The first thing to look for when deciding whether or not length is going to be the source of your extra tricks is a five-card suit. Although both the following suits have exactly the same seven combined cards, there is a world of difference between:
| (i) | and | (ii) |
| ♦ A 7 5 2 | ♣ A 7 5 4 2 | |
| -------- | ---------- | |
| ♦ K 4 3 | ♣ K 3 |
It’s all about having more card(s) left over when the opponents have run out. In (i), you will only be able to make an extra trick when the suit splits 3-3 (unlikely) and even then only one extra trick.
In (ii) you will be able to make two extra tricks when the suit splits 3-3 [♣ K; ♣ 3 to ♣ A then give up a round*]; you will be able to make one extra trick when the suit splits 4-2 [♣ K; ♣ 3 to ♣ A; give up the third and fourth rounds*].
*Even better in a trump contract, as you can trump the third (and if necessary fourth rounds).
Click here to play this hand
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| West | North | East | South |
| 1 N1 | |||
| Pass | 3 N | Pass | Pass |
| Pass |
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| 3 NT by South |
| Lead: ♠ 4 |
On our illustrative 3 NT deal, you as declarer have eight top tricks. Trick one goes ♠ 4, ♠ 2, ♠ Q and you win the ace. Hearts, diamonds and clubs all contain seven cards, comprising the ace-king and five low cards. Which suit should you play on?
Emphatically hearts – holding five cards in one hand. At trick two lead a low heart to the (ten and) king (high card in the shorter length), then lead back a heart. Given that you will have to lose at least one heart trick whatever the split, you might as well duck this second round (once in a while East began with ♥ QJ942).
West wins the queen and persevered with the jack of spades which you duck, then a third spade. You win the king, cross to the king of (say) diamonds and play the ace of hearts (West discarding) and a heart. East wins but, with no spades to lead, leads (say) a diamond. You win dummy’s ace, cross to the king of clubs and cash the promoted fifth heart, your crucial extra trick. All that remains is to cross to the ace of clubs and that’s nine tricks and game made.
Note that there were (expected) 4-2 splits in all three suits. Yet only hearts – because of the five-card length in one hand – could yield an extra trick.
