A FALSE CARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 6

A FALSE CARD.

(By THE FOUR ACES.? In defence against no trump contracts tlie universally accented lead is tliat of fourthbest from the longest and strongest suit. To depart from this accepted formula is generally unwise, as it is apt to fool partner. For example, tlie lead of tlie deuce from a fivecard suit will teml to make partner think that you actually hold only a four-card suit. However, as in al! phases of bridge, it is occasionally <r(io<l policy to vary these tactics. In (lie hand below declarer was fooled by a false card 011 the openin.tr lead.

3* J'ilSS

When West onened the deuce of Diamonds, East was allowed to win'the trick with the nine, ami when the suit was returned declarer won the second lead in dummy ami led the Jack of Chilis. West won (he trick with the Aee and led a third Diamond, and declarer started to count tricks.

If the two' remaining Diamonds were divided. a.s indicated liy West's opening lead, lie would surely lose <mo more trick in that suit and (lie Ace of Hearts. Accordingly, if lie also lo«-t a Spade, he would be set one trick. Therefore he decided his best percentage play would be to finesse for the .Tack of Hearts. Accordingly, he led the deuce from dummy and played the ten in his own hand. Now AVest won with the Jack, cashed two Diamonds and subsequently gave his partner a Heart trick to beat the contract two tricks.

However, if declarer had figured out that West originally held five Diamonds, lie would have realised that bis best chance of making I lie contract would lie in finding East with the Ace of Hearts and one Spade honour. Accordingly, lie would have gone up with the King of Hearts on the first Heart lead, led the .lack of Spades, and finessed if West failed to cover. Now. although East would get in wit li both the King of Spades and the Ace of Hearts, bis partner would have no chance of cashing any Diamonds, and the contract would have been made.— (Copyright.)