CONTRACT BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 6

CONTRACT BRIDGE.

READING OPPONENTS'

DISTRIBUTION

(By ELY COLBERTS OX.) It is unusual in tlie play of a hand at Contract bridge to he able to determine tlie distribution of one opponent and hence the distribution of all the suits as early as the sixth trick. Generally, the distribution of the cards is more or less of a secret until late in tlie plav of a hand. Obviously, in a great many hands knowledge of the distribution is an essential in the attainment of the best result. The hand below gave to the South player, through the fact thn.t he was able to learn tlie distribution of the- hand early in the play, a certainty of making his contract. The strip play, by which the contract was made, is a very common situation in bridge, but the technique of handling the strip is not too generally understood. AVest dealer. Neither side vulnerable.

Pass I.—Of course, West's hand is a hare minimum as regards lionour-triek strength. 2. —The correct response to the take-out double.

I!.- —In view of the fact that he holds two fivecard suits, West, of course, is justified in rcbidding despite the fact that lie lias no additional honour strength. ■).—ln view of Smith's strength response to the take-out double, the immediate bid for game is fully justified.

West opened the King of Diamonds and followed with the Ace. The third round of Diamonds was ruffed by the declarer, who then took three rounds of trumps, finding on the second lead that West had held a singleton. When West failed to follow on the second trump lead South was practically assured that his hand had consisted of live Hearts, five Diamonds, two Clubs and one Spade originally.

When West on the second and third rounds of trumps discarded the seven and eight of Hearts, the declarer could see that, despite the fact that he held an apparent loser in Clubs, lie could fullil his contract. He therefore led the Ace and King of Clubs and followed with the Ace 1 and King of Hearts, throwing West in the, lead with the last round of Hearts. Inasmuch as West had nothing left in his hand but Diamonds he was forced to give South a ruff in one hand and a discard in the other, and thus the declarer avoided the loss of a Club trick and fulfill.:d his contract of four Spades. Next Week's HanO. Xortli dealer. Xeither side vulnerable.