Avoiding an End Play by A. Sheinwold

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Norman Kay Alfred Sheinwold and Eddie Kantar

The Dispatch – Apr 15, 1991

Don’t give up after an unlucky opening lead. Do what you can to salvage the defense.

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Unluckily for him, today’s West led the unbid suit.

West Dealer.

East captured the spade suitK and returned his low spade, which ran to the spade suit9. South led a trump from dummy, East played low, and South put up the heart suitK. He then led a club to East’s ace. Now it was vital for the defenders to avoid an end play, but East blindly led the ten of spades to give West a ruff. Just as blindly, West returned a diamond.

IN WITH A TRUMP South won in dummy, cashed the club and put East in with a trump. If East now led a diamond, South would get a free finesse; if East led a club, South could ruff and throw dummy’s low diamond.

After taking his club, East should cash the heart suitA before leading the third spade. East can then sit back and wait for a diamond trick. When East forgets to cash the ace of trumps, West should lead a trump after ruffing. East wins and gets out safely with a club.