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High level competition

Bold - but not rash - bidding is winning bridge. But once you have pushed the opposition to an uncomfortably high level, you should be happy to defend. 

South Deals
None Vul
♠ Q 10
K J 7 2
J 3
♣ K Q 10 4 2
♠ 8 6 4 3
10 9
A 10 8 2
♣ A 9 5
N
W   E
S
♠ K J 9 7 5 2
3
K 9 6 4
♣ 7 3
  ♠ A
A Q 8 6 5 4
Q 7 5
♣ J 8 6
West North East South
      1
Pass 4 4 ♠ 5
Pass Pass Pass
5 by South

 

 East’s 4♠bid may appear rash, but once the opposition have found a good fit, they will be unwilling to defend. South is likely to press on 5♥ - as here - and now the spotlight turns to West. Though he has undisclosed four card support for his partner’s suit, it would be a bad error for West to bid 5♠. In all probability his partner’s main motivation for bidding was to push the opponents up an extra level. West heeded this week’s tip and passed.

He led ♠6 to ♠10, ♠J and ♠A. Declarer drew trumps in two rounds and led ♣J. West won ♣A and had to decide whether the third defensive trick was coming from ♦K in his partner’s hand or a ♠ trick. He found the solution by leading ♦A and waiting for East’s signal. If East had played a low ♦ spot card, West would have led a second ♠ in the hope that declarer had a second ♠. In fact East encouraged with ♦9, so West led a second ♦ to East’s ♦K to defeat the contract.

ANDREW’S TIP: The five-level belongs to the opponents.

 

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