English Bridge - December 2016

46 English Bridge December 2016 www.ebu.co.uk

South West North East

1™ Pass 1´ Pass

2NT Pass 3NT Dble

All Pass

Choose from: (a) ´8; (b) a heart; (c)t4; (d) ®3.

(a) ´8: 10 marks. Partner has suddenly doubled 3NT

after taking no part in the auction. This is a Lightner

variant and partner is asking for an unusual lead -

usually dummy's first bid suit. Here the ´8 is clear in

my view. Partner was charmed holding AKQ10x!

(b) a heart: 5 marks. Yes, it is just about possible, I

suppose, that this is the lead partner wants, but why

should we be able to read that? With our heart

holding it is also unlikely that this is the case. Has

partner really got AKQJx in the suit?

led this in a heartbeat, but the double changes

everything and a low diamond is now simply

insulting partner. A case can be made for the tA so

you can see the dummy to make sure you get the

right switch but (a) an important tempo will be lost

which could let the contract through and (b) I didn't

give you that option.

(d) ®3: 1 mark. I cannot see any case for this lead. If

partner had clubs strong enough to double 3NT for

the lead he should have bid them!

HHHHHH

South West North East

1® Pass 1™ Pass

1´ Pass 3® Pass

3´ Pass 4® Pass

5® All Pass

You were rather hoping the opponents would

alight in Four Spades but it was not to be. Now you

have to lead against 5®.

Choose from: (a) ´A; (b) ™10; (c) t4; (d) a club.

(a) ´A: 1 mark. This will be right if and only if you

can give partner a ruff and just how likely is that?

Who is more likely to be short in spades, partner or

dummy? Plus, look at your trump holding - partner

has at most one of them.

(b) ™10: 4 marks. Well yes it could be right if partner

has a couple of heart tricks and we need to cash

them. But that seems long odds to me.

Answers to October Problems

by Alan Mould

Prize Leads Quiz Answers

click

link

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS:

Master: Nick Goslett, Open: Nigel Osmer,

Hove Lewes

Index