LICENSED BRIDGE

When you see the 'LB' sign in an

ad vert isement in the magazine, it

means that:

• The organisers of the holiday have applied for,

and received, a licence from the EBU.

• They may choose to give master points in

accordance with EBU scales.

• These master points will be accepted and added

to player records.

• The bridge will be played in line with EBU

regulations and bye laws, thus affording all players

the protection of playing within the jurisdiction of

the EBU.

All County events advertised have an EBU licence.

NOTE: Any events licensed by another National

Bridge Organisation will not be able to have master

points credited to members' records save for Wales,

Scotland and Northern Ireland with

whom the EBU have a reciprocal

agreement.

19

February 2016 English Bridge

www.ebu.co.uk

South takes the diamond lead on table and advances

the ´Q, taken by the ace. Taking diamond ruffs

would not help the defence, so they play three

rounds of hearts, forcing declarer to ruff and

reducing his trumps. Correctly, South cashes the ´K

and then…? Playing another trump would net nine

tricks on a 3-3 break, seven on a 4-2 break.

Here, if South leads another spade East would

seize the chance to draw trumps and cash two heart

winners. The correct way to deal with the hand is

simply to ignore the outstanding trumps and to

play off diamond winners, forcing out the master

trumps that way. Sure, if trumps had been 3-3 then

declarer would lose two trump tricks instead of just

one, but he would still make the contract.

Declarer's eight tricks come from four spades

(in a curious fashion), just three diamonds (two

of them get trumped) and a club. It is easier to

see that the losers are confined to three spades and

two hearts. r