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Andrew:
In notrump contracts, play your long suit when you win lead
Many players are frightened of declaring notrumps – without the security blanket of a trump suit. Whilst it is true that notrump contracts can fall apart (typically if the opponents are able to run through a long suit), they are generally easier to declare than trump contracts because there are fewer options available (issues such as whether to draw trumps do not arise). Many notrump contracts boil down to a race: can the opponents set up their long suit before you set up yours? You have the advantage of being able to play both your hand and dummy; but the opponents have the advantage of leading the first card. Let us see a typical such race.
Click to play this deal
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South Deals E-W Vul |
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| West | North | East | South |
| 1 ♣ | |||
| Pass | 1 ♦ | Pass | 2 NT |
| Pass | 3 NT | Pass | Pass |
| Pass |
| 3 NT by South |
| Lead: ♠ 4 |
| Made 3 |
What happened?
West led ♠ 4 – fourth from the top of his longest and strongest suit – and declarer beat East’s ♠ J with ♠ Q. To pass time, he next cashed ♠ K. He then began his long suit (clubs), leading ♣ 6 towards dummy’s ♣ Q. West stepped in with ♣ K and led a third spade, declarer winning ♠ A. Declarer followed with ♣ 7 but West took ♣ A and cashed ♠ 1086. Down one.
What should have happened?
Declarer lost the race because he cashed ♠ K unnecessarily at Trick Two. He should devote all his attention to setting up his long clubs (very unlikely to make nine tricks without the suit). After winning ♠ Q he immediately leads ♣ 6. West wins ♣ K and leads ♠ 2. He wins ♠ K and leads ♣ 7. West wins ♣ A and leads ♠ 3 but declarer is in control. He wins ♠ A, cashes the established ♣ J109, follows with ♥ A and ♦ AK, and nine* tricks are his. Game made.
Tip: Notrump contracts are frequently a race between both sides to set up their long suit. Play your long suit each time you win the lead.
*There is a squeeze on East for the 10th trick.
