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January 5, 2002
A Season of Giving

A Season of Giving

The Scorecard is the publication for ACBL District 16. I was asked and consented to write a regular column aimed at the 0-299 masterpoint player. I will post my columns here as they may be of benefit to the same readers that benefit from my newsletter.

Scorecard, Volume 34, No 1 - January/February 2002

In the 1930�s Milton Work providing 50 bridge hands for the Lucky Strike tobacco company. These hands were enclosed within tins of packaged cigarettes in the form of a cardboard game piece that allowed the "player" to solve the hand in a double dummy style.

For those of you that are unfamiliar, "double dummy" refers to a problem where all hands are exposed. The idea is to find the line of play that will let you make the contract (looking at all four hands!). The solution must work irrespective of any defensive action. You may assume that the defenders can see all four hands as well.

I have selected a few of the problems for your pleasure. These somewhat involve the season appropriate theme of giving (yes, that is a hint). These are not unbelievably difficult, but enjoyable.

The answers are at the end.

No. 1	North
	Q97
	642
	6532
West	864	East
63		K4
J93		K1075
1074		KJ9
QJ953	South	K1072
	AJ10852
	AQ8
	AQ8
	A

South declares a contract of 4. The opening lead is the Q. South to take eleven tricks against any defense.

No. 2	North
	964
	Q9
	432
West	QJ973	East
10873		KQJ
64		753
1085		KJ96
10542	South	AK6
	A52
	AKJ1082
	AQ7
	8

South declares a contract of 4. The opening lead is the 3. South to take ten tricks against any defense.

No. 3	North
	A74
	Q98
	85
West	109642	East
KQ9		865
1064		J7532
A1074		QJ9
753	South	K8
	J1032
	AK
	K632
	AQJ

South declares a contract of 3NT. The opening lead is the 4. South to take nine tricks against any defense.

No. 4	North
	1075
	9742
	A95
West	1076	East
A98		6432
6		853
J10874		K62
8432	South	KQJ
	KQJ
	AKQJ10
	Q3
	A95

South declares 4. The opening lead is the J. South to take ten tricks against any defense.

Answers:

No. 1
Win the A and play a small spade to the 7 (GIVING up a trick to the K). You now have the needed entries to establish and cash the diamond suit. Win any return (finessing in hearts or diamonds as necessary), spade to the 9, diamond finesse, A, and give up a diamond. The Q now provides an entry to the thirteenth diamond. Eleven tricks (5 spades, 2 hearts, 3 diamonds, and 1 club).

No. 2
Win the A and GIVE East a top club by leading the 8. If West does not cover, play low from dummy. If West covers the 8, then you cover as well from dummy. East will win a top club honor and cash two spades. Win any return and use the two heart entries to take a ruffing finesse in clubs, discard your losing diamond, and take the diamond finesse. Ten tricks (1 spade, 6 hearts, 2 diamonds, and 1 club).

No. 3
Silently thank West for GIVING you a diamond trick. Win the K, cash the A and K, cash the A, and lead the Q. East will win the K and the defense will cash three diamond tricks. Whatever West leads next you will win in dummy, discarding the J on the Q. Cash the good clubs in dummy. Nine tricks (1 spade, 3 hearts, 1 diamond, and 4 clubs).

No. 4
Play a low diamond from dummy and when East wins the K GIVE up the Q by throwing it under the K! You can now win any return, pull trump, establish two spades, and take a simple diamond finesse against the 10. Ten tricks (2 spades, 5 hearts, 2 diamonds, and 1 club).

I hope you enjoyed these small problems. Happy holidays!

Let me hear from you.

-Gary King
 

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