Dealer: W Vul: Both
NORTH
♠ A93
♥ K842
♦ 7652
♣ 87
WEST
♠ 852
♥ 103
♦ J9
♣ AKJ654
EAST
♠ 104
♥ J6
♦ AKQ10843
♣ 102
SOUTH
♠ KQJ76
♥ AQ975
♦ —
♣ Q93
A total of 19 club members have improved their performance compared to last year. At present, Pat Kelly is top of the list, with Mavis Simpson second and Len Don third. Newer players Jenny Loy, Helen Tilbrook and Valerie Prentice have also made good progress. Perhaps they could answer the following question: when is a good time to lead an Ace?
If, on Board 30 last Friday, East had been on lead against 3NT by North, the lead of the Ace of diamonds would have been irresistible. As the cards lie, East would have won the first seven tricks. Defending against 4H by North is a totally different situation. At two tables on the deal above, East, on lead against 4H, led the Ace of diamonds. Declarer called for a low trump from dummy (South) and was now in complete control. Two rounds of trumps were played, then declarer ran five spade tricks. North’s two club losers disappeared under the fourth and fifth spade. The lead of a club, the unbid suit, would have worked much better.
When West was on lead against 4S by South, the best play by West was to cash the Ace and King of clubs, then to continue with a third club. Declarer must trump with the Ace of spades to prevent East from winning with the ten. As before, clubs was the unbid suit. East had surely bid diamonds, possibly at the three level and South’s bidding had suggested no fear of diamonds.
Results, Monday, 10/11/25 (5 & 1/2-table Howell): T. Hinde P. Campbell (65.7) 1; J. Nankervis P. Kelly (58.8) 2; R. Hart N. McGinness (57.4) 3; N. Collins M. Simpson (54.6) 4. Friday, 14/11/25 (5-table Mitchell); N/S H. Price R. Hart (54.1) 1; N. Bonnell S. Head (52.2) 2. E/W D. Moran N. McGinness (64.8) 1; W.Milne J. Sipple (55.6) 2.
