CONTRACT BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 6

CONTRACT BRIDGE.

FORCING A LEAD. (By THE FOUR ACES.) Walter Malowan made a rather nea'. hand the other day in a rubber bridge game at the Regency Club, of which he is secretary. A defensive overcall by West, coupled with a business double by his partner, enabled Mr. Malowan to place accurately the outstanding high cards and save the setting trick by means of a throw-in play.

West's opening of the of Diamonds was very poor, but he erroneously came to the conclusion that his partner's double was based on a singleton Diamond. After ruffing in dummy, Mr. Malowan played a small trump to his King, ruffed a sercond Diamond, returned to his hand with the King of Clubs and ruffed a third Diamond. A small Club was then played to his Queen, followed by the King of Diamonds, , which East trumped. East now played the Queen of Hearts, and Mr. Malowan, after taking the Ace, threw him in with his j (East's) last trump. Declarer had now brought about the situation he desired—East had nothing left but Spades and was forced to lead that suit. Being sure that West's overcall and rebid had marked that player with the Ace of Spades, Mr. Malowan played low, West being forced to win the trick with the Ace. Many players not so expert would have led Spades themselves and lost the contract. We cannot criticise West's opening lead too severely. On the bidding he should have known both that declarer held the King of Diamonds, and dummy ivm short, and hence should have made the safe opening of a low Club.— (Copyright.)