Recurring headaches – part 6 By August Boehm

Fuente: Julio 2014 ACBL Bridge Bulletin      

Defenders may sometimes feel trapped in a dilemma: Should they “do something” and try to “find” partner’s length and strength, or should they be passive and stay out of harm’s way? To treat this common headache, an understanding of frozen suits is critical.

aaxx
In both of these examples, whichever side first leads the suit loses a trick. There are many more similar combinations. The idea is to recognize potentially frozen suits and, if you’re declaring the hand, find a way to force the defenders to open these suits. Unless they need to cash winners before declarer obtains discards, defenders want to lay off that suit.

For the most part, declarers like defenders who actively grab winners, underlead honors and shift suits. To defend passively at the right time is a hallmark of a good defender. You find yourself in the East seat defending 4:

aaxx
South opened 1NT (12-14), North used Stayman, and over South’s 2 response, raised to 4. Partner leads the 2 (fourth best). Plan the defense.

The dummy, for all its high-card points, is not threatening. It contains no ruffing value, which might call for a trump switch, nor a long suit to generate discards, necessitating a cash-out defense. What are your options?

A club shift, hoping to find partner with the queen is an unnecessary risk. True, partner is marked with 3-5 HCP (add the HCP you see to declarer’s 12-14 and subtract from 40). If declarer holds the Q, you have lost your king. What’s wrong with a trump shift?

Suppose declarer holds  A-K-10-x and partner has  Q-x. Left to his own devices, declarer is apt to take the percentage-but-losing finesse. Your spade shift, however, may induce him to change his plan and play for the drop. It is entirely possible that partner holds  Q-x or  Q-x-x. If declarer holds  A-9-x, you recognize that the heart suit is frozen, making a heart lead something to be avoided.

So you win the A, return a diamond and let nature take its course. If declarer takes a later club finesse to your king, remain passive and exit with a club. The idea is to return suits that have already been played, not strike out into virgin territory.

aaxx
Unless clairvoyant in trumps, declarer is booked to lose one trick in each suit. Note the icy nature of the heart suit – whichever side leads it loses a trick. If declarer somehow rejects the club finesse and plays the ace-jack (hold your cards back), win the king and return a third club to declarer’s queen, patiently waiting for your side’s heart trick. Good things come to those who wait.

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

Bridge Yesterday A Vienna Coup by Paul F. Zweifel

I frequently go over to visit my friend (and sometime partner) Lewis Barnett to thumb through his huge collection of old bridge magazines, including Bridge World back to year one.

To Ruff or Not to Ruff? By Victor Mollo

You may have heard about those poor fellows who sleep at night on the Embankment, exposed to the cold winter winds. Their plight is...

Wrong Card By Easley Blackwood

"Everybody pulls a wrong card now and then," said Mr. Muzzy hotly, when he thought the kibitzers were criticizing him for his hand.

Bridge & Humor: A Funny Story by Matthew Mallory

For the next story you have to know about Victor Mollo’s wonderful series “Bridge in the Menangeire”.

A 2014 Spring NABC Board

Goulash Time: This is one of the boards that helped Fireman squad to arrive to the Vanderbilt's Round of 16. Photo: Wolpert-Bocchi in Bali 2013.

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES