Use bids and plays to place key cards

Agatha Christie said, "It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story."

Little did she know what would happen after she was gone. But working out the right play or defense is often like a detective story. There are numerous clues that should be used to find the solution.

In this deal, South is in four hearts. West leads the diamond 10: four, six, ace. How should East plan the defense?

South opens with a textbook weak two-bid at unfavorable vulnerability: a good six-card suit and 6-10 high-card points. North knows game might have no play, but the vulnerable game bonus is very tempting.

East should ask himself which honors are held by South. He has already produced the diamond ace and the bidding strongly suggests that he also has the heart king and queen. So he cannot have the club king. As a consequence, East can hope for two club tricks, the heart ace and either a diamond trick or a club ruff.

South immediately takes two of dummy's top spades to discard his diamond loser. Then he calls for the heart jack, feigning a finesse for the queen. But East should not fall for it. He should grab the trick with his ace and shift to his club four. West wins with his king and returns the club three. East takes that trick and gives his partner a club ruff.

When defending, keep your eye on the target: the number of tricks your side needs to defeat the contract.

(China Daily 09/13/2014 page20)