Harvey Bernstein's Plain Dealer Bridge Column

East took advantage of the vulnerability to make a preemptive three spade bid. South was in a very difficult position. The hand was played at team competition and the potential vulnerable game bonus was just to tempting to pass up, thus the four heart bid.

West opened the ace of spades and East signaled with the nine. West continued with the five of spades at trick two. East won the king and returned the eight of spades. Declarer trumped with the three of hearts and West was finished. If he over trumped with any card other than the ace, North's queen of hearts would win the trick. If he did play the ace of hearts, it would be his last trick. In the actual play, West discarded a club. Declarer continued with a heart to the queen. He was able to claim ten tricks after knocking out the ace of hearts and drawing trumps.

West tried to find a way to place the blame on his partner, but as is often the case, it was his own blind spot that ruined the defense. When East signals with the nine of spades, indicating that he holds the king, West must stop and think of what will happen after East wins the king.

While the ace of trumps is a very nice card to hold, it will only win one trick. If West plays that card at trick two, and then leads a spade to his partner's king, declarer's chances to make this hand fall apart. East simply continues with a spade and declarer has no trump honor in dummy to protect him. If he trumps low, West will over trump. If South trumps this trick high, West's nine is promoted to become an eventual winner, and the setting trick.

The lesson is the same as it usually is; learn to think ahead and plan your play (offense or defense) at trick one. There is no nicer compliment than to hear your partner say, "That was a thoughtful play, partner."

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