Contributed by Neil Bonnell, Warwick Bridge Club
Is there anything holding you back from taking lessons in how to play contract bridge? It does take some effort to become proficient, but what worthwhile activity doesn’t? Lessons are free and are being held on Wednesday mornings, but this can be changed if necessary. A handbook can be purchased for $8.00. To find out more, ring Neil on 0408 361 482. There is no gambling involved in the kind of bridge that we play.
On many hands, a comparatively low card can often hold the key to making a contract. On Board 9 from last Friday Claire Duggan and Leanne Munson (North/South) were the only pair to make 5D, which needed declarer to win eleven tricks out of thirteen. Try to guess which card before you read on. Declarer has three potential losers: a spade, the Ace of hearts and a trump. Leanne (South) received the lead of the ten of spades. The Jack was played from dummy (North). On this lead it didn’t matter whether E played the Queen or a low card. If East played low, there would be no story. Declarer would discard the four of spades and dummy’s other two spades would disappear under the Ace and King. If East did cover the Jack with the Queen and declarer won with the Ace the King could then be played, dropping West’s nine. East would have no cards higher than South’s eight (the key card) and there would no longer be any spades in dummy. Dummy’s remaining trumps would take care of any remaining losers in South’s Hand.
Results: Monday, 01/08/22 (5-table Mitchell): N/S N.Collins M. Simpson (67.5) 1; J. Mobbs S. Goddard (52 per cent) 2; P, Campbell T. Hinde (50.8) 3, E/W L. Munson D. Moran (57.5) 1; P. Kelly J. Nankervis (57.1) 2; H. Price R. Hart (56.7) Friday, 05/08/22 (4 & ½-table Howell): N. Bonnell B. Bonnell (67.4) 1; T. Hinde J. Mobbs (62.5) 2; C. Duggan L. Munson (58.33) 3. Handicap: B. Reid J. McKeen 1.
