The Right Focus

18th February – Board 10. Game All. Dealer East.

Counting your potential tricks in any contract is of paramount importance at all times but sometimes it is more difficult to focus on what really matters.

	North: S A K J 7 H 10 9 4 3 2 D A J 3 C 4
West: S 8 2 H A 8 D Q 10 9 7 4 C K J 8 2		East: S 10 9 5 H Q J 5 D 8 6 5 2 C 7 6 5
	South: S Q 6 4 3 H K 7 6 D K C A Q 10 9 3

West	North	East	South
		No	1C
No	1H	No	1S
No	4S	End

Perhaps North might go more slowly via fourth suit in case there is a slam on but all roads will surely lead to 4S and for the sake of argument let us say that West leads a diamond. With a normal 3-2 spade break declarer can count five spade tricks – because he will make the last two separately – two diamonds and one club, or eight in all, and surely the heart suit will provide a couple of tricks! So win the lead perforce, draw trumps ending in dummy and lead a heart to the king. Even when that loses declarer is in no trouble. He can win the diamond continuation, say, and lead another heart and although the defence will win and force declarer with a diamond he simply ruffs in hand and plays a third round of hearts. Now the two remaining hearts are winners in dummy and declarer can get there easily with a club ruff. The mistake is in thinking the ace of diamonds will provide a parking place for a heart. So it will but adopting this line leads to losing control.