BridgeSnaps

My new book, Glory of Notrump, is now available at Trafford Publishing or Amazon for about $13.00. This is a book you cannot be without - guaranteed that you will win more often at any bridge table, social or duplicate. The reason is that it contains the very best ways to bid and play notrump contracts. The advice is so good that even expert bridge players gain from reading this book.

Here is the first deal presented in the book. It was played by world champions Eric Rodwell and Jeff Meckstroth. After North opened 1 D, the pair continued to 3 NT with just 22 high-card points between them. How they bid to a notrump game is for another day. Their hands were:

NORTH

S) K Q 6

H) J 10 2

D) K Q 8 7 5 2

C) 6

SOUTH

S) A93

H) 863

D) J 9 6

C) A Q 10 5

There are two noteworthy points here. First, take note of the heart suit. If the defense attacks hearts, they may run four or five quick tricks. Otherwise declarer has five diamond tricks once the ace is removed, and that is sufficient to make their game. To fully appreciate the result, you have to look at East-West heart holdings and how they were played.

WEST HEARTS: A 4 EAST HEARTS: K Q 9 7 5

East was on lead and led the heart King. West had to overtake with the Ace or otherwise would be unable to return the suit after the second round of hearts. This of course promoted declarer’s heart Jack to a stopper, and that was all that declarer needed to make the contract.

The main lesson here is the value of a good five-card or six-card suit in notrump. The secondary lesson is that the defense quite often helps you when you are most in need.