13
December 2016 English Bridge
West could alternatively bare the jack of clubs and
retain two spades and a heart. Now you would need
to lead the queen of clubs from dummy, pinning the
jack, rather than exit with your spade. Remember,
however, that the defenders can't see through the
backs of the cards, and if there is a legitimate way to
beat the contract, they will be looking to find it, and
will therefore be communicating with each other by
signalling. In this situation that signal is likely to be
distributional, and you should believe their carding
to determine what four cards West has kept.
´ 7 4 3
™ A
t A K J 9 4 2
® Q 5 2
´ 10 8 6 2 ´ Q J 9
™ 8 7 6 4 2 ™ K J 3
t - t Q 10 5 3
® J 9 7 6 ® K 8 4
´ A K 5
™ Q 10 9 5
t 8 7 6
® A 10 3
N
W E
S
Heather's Hints
• When you finish up in game after one
opponent has opened the bidding, you are
going to be able to place virtually all the
outstanding high cards in the opener's
hand. This may well leave him guarding
too many suits and become vulnerable to
an endplay or squeeze.
• Remember that the defenders are human!
They can't see through the backs of the
cards any more than you can, and must
draw inferences from the clues they
receive. The best information they get will
come from their partner, but you can also
use this to your advantage. This doesn't
mean that they should stop signalling since
it is often crucial to finding the correct
defence. r