PLAY OF THE HAND
PLAY OF THE HAND
BY ERIC RODWELL
The finesse is a way of getting the extra tricks you need . Generally , you lead toward the card you hope will take a trick . In this first deal , you ’ ll see that the finesse works well to help get rid of a loser you can ’ t afford . The contract is 4♥ and West leads the ♦K .
♠ Q 9 7 3 ♥ K 6 ♦ K Q J 6 ♣ 7 5 4
♠ A J 8 ♥ 9 5 3 2 ♦ 7 5 3 ♣ A K J
♠ 10 6 5 2 n
♥ A 4 w e s ♦ 10 9 4 ♣ 10 6 3 2
♠ K 4 ♥ Q J 10 8 7 ♦ A 8 2 ♣ Q 9 8
PLAYING WITH FINESSE
2 AUDREY GRANT ’ S BETTER BRIDGE JULY / AUGUST 2016
4♥
In 4♥ you can afford three losers . You have two heart losers , two diamond losers and no club or spade losers . You will definitely lose to the ♥A and ♥K . You must concentrate on trying to eliminate one of your diamond losers . You can ’ t trump one in the dummy and there is no immediate extra trick on which you can discard one of your losers . In such a situation , you have to look hard to see if there is any possibility of eliminating your loser . The ♠J in dummy gives you a chance . If West has the ♠Q , you can take a finesse and create an extra winner in
dummy on which you can discard a loser . Let ’ s see how this plan actually works . Can you afford to draw trump first ? No . You would have to let the opponents take the lead when you draw trump , and after you win the first trick with the ♦A , you have four quick losers . Instead , win the ♦A and play the ♠K , the high card from the short side . Now lead the ♠4 and , when West follows with a low spade , finesse dummy ’ s ♠J .
Here you will have to hold your breath . If East has the ♠Q , you will lose a spade trick and you hadn ’ t originally counted on that . In addition you lose two heart tricks and two diamond tricks . You would be defeated in your contract by two tricks . But if West has the ♠Q , your ♠J will win and you can now discard one of your diamond losers on dummy ’ s ♠A . It is then safe to start drawing the opponents ’ trump , since you have only three losers left . Is it worth taking the chance of going down two tricks instead of one while trying to make your contract ?
Certainly . The penalty for going down one extra trick is much less than the bonus you get for making your game contract . Besides , think of the excitement you ’ ll have waiting to find out which opponents has the missing queen . On this deal , not only does the finesse give you an extra trick , it gives you a chance to get rid of a loser you can ’ t afford . In this next deal , the contract is 3NT and the opening lead is the ♥4 .
♠ 8 5 4 3 ♥ K 8 5 4 ♦ 9 5 ♣ Q 10 9
♠ 9 6 2 ♥ A J ♦ A 8 7 6 2 ♣ 6 4 3
w n
s e
♠ A K Q J ♥ 7 6 3 ♦ Q 4 3 ♣ A 8 5
♠ 10 7 ♥ Q 10 9 2 ♦ K J 10 ♣ K J 7 2
You need nine tricks to make the contract , and you have only seven immediate winners . You can look to the diamond suit , planning to lead toward the ♦Q , hoping East holds the ♦K , and also hoping the
" IS IT WORTH TAKING THE CHANCE OF GOING DOWN TWO TRICKS INSTEAD OF ONE WHILE TRYING TO MAKE YOUR CONTRACT ? CERTAINLY ."
3NT
diamonds are divided 3-2 so you can get at least one extra trick though length . Since you ’ ll have to give up the lead at least once , you ’ ll also have to hope the defenders ’ hearts are divided 4-4 so they can ’ t take more than three heart tricks . All these conditions exist in the actual deal , but you have to watch your entries when you put it all together . An established suit is of no use unless there is an entry to it . You have both the ♥A and the ♦A in the dummy – the hand with the long diamonds – so your chances look good . The lead of a heart , however ,