tell tale

by Mark Horton

One aspect of bridge that is often overlooked is the need for a defender to hide his assets. There are various ways in which this can be done. For instance, suppose you have a trump holding that you would like to protect. If you are on lead it may be a good idea to make a play that shows some length as declarer may then be inclined to play you for a shortage elsewhere, as opposed to making a lead that suggests shortness, which may cause declarer to place you with the trump length.

Board 6. Dealer East. E/W Vul.
	♠ J ♥ A Q 9 7 6 5 2 ♦ A 6 ♣ Q 10 5
♠ A K Q 9 2 ♥ 10 8 ♦ J 8 5 4 ♣ 8 2		♠ 7 6 4 ♥ K ♦ K 7 3 2 ♣ A 9 7 6 3
	♠ 10 8 5 3 ♥ J 4 3 ♦ Q 10 9 ♣ K J 4

If North/South bid to 4♥ and East leads a spade, the best tactic is for West to win with the ace and to switch to a minor suit – a diamond looks natural enough. If declarer still manages to drop the king of hearts then all you can do is congratulate him.

Let’s see what happened when France met USA1 in the Venice Cup.

Closed Room

East led the four of spades. West won with the queen and tried to cash the ace of spades. Declarer ruffed, crossed to dummy with a club and ran the jack of hearts. When that lost, she was one down, -50.

Open Room

East led the four of spades. West won with the king and tried to cash the ace. Declarer ruffed, crossed to dummy with a club and played the jack of hearts.

However, when it was not covered, she went up with the ace of hearts and claimed when the king appeared.

How did declarer deduce that the king was not with the opening bidder?

To a large degree it was connected with the play in the spade suit.

It was clear from the play to the first two tricks that West had started with ♠AKQ (she would not give declarer a chance to ruff out partner’s queen third) and that, combined with East’s subsequent activity, suggested that the missing high cards were on declarer’s left.

Bien joué!