A hugely successful LBIAD (Learn Bridge in a Day) session was held by Patty Tucker at the Bridge Club last weekend with an astonishing 51 people showing up to hear about this great game. As a result of the LBIAD 35 people have signed up for Judy Bussell’s Beginner’s Lessons starting this weekend at the Club, all of which bodes really well for membership and attendance.

It goes without saying that none of this happens without a ton of behind the scenes work by the Board and volunteers at the Club and they need to be congratulated – there is a great energy and drive from those who are involved at the Bermuda Bridge Club right now, and they are not only improving what is happening right now but are laying the foundations for a really successful future.

I think the LBIAD initiative is a great one and should be repeated frequently if follow up lessons are then available.

This week’s hand has a familiar theme to it so try and work it out if I give you the hint – choose the right time to give a trick to the non-danger opponent.

Dealer East E/W Vulnerable

(Spades / Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs)

North: A1053 / J5 / A9873 / 93

South: KQJ98642 / Q / Q6/ K2

The Bidding:

WEST / NORTH / EAST / SOUTH

- / - / Pass / 4S

Pass / Pass / Pass / -

Notice that East-West can make either 6 Hearts or 6 Clubs – the pre-empt and the vulnerability makes it tough but perhaps one of them could have been a bit braver?

West leads the Ace of Hearts and then switches to the 2 of Diamonds – how do you approach the play? Think a bit and then read on!

You can play low hoping that West has led away from the King, and if he has all your troubles are over. Even if he hasn’t and East wins, perhaps East has the Club Ace and once again you are safe … all in all, not a bad choice.

Alas, here is the full hand:

(Spades / Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs)

North: A1053 / J5 / A9873 / 93

East: None / 1087643 / KJ/ Q10875

South: KQJ98642 / Q / Q6/ K2

West: 7 / AK92 / 10542 / AJ64

If you play low East wins and shoots through a Club – down one.

There is a much better line. West almost certainly has the Heart King so declarer should look to setting up a long Diamond without giving East the lead – win the Diamond Ace and play the Heart Jack throwing the Diamond Queen.

West now does best to lead his trump – declarer won with dummy’s 10, carefully playing the 6 from her hand. Now she ruffed a Diamond high, led the trump 2 to dummy’s 3 to ruff another Diamond high, led the trump 4 to dummy’s 5 to ruff another Diamond high and that set up the long Diamond. All that remained now was for declarer to cross to dummy with the trump Ace and discard a club on the good diamond. Really well played.

If diamonds had broken 5-1 declarer would still have the contract made if East has the Ace of Clubs.

Take a really good look at this hand – loser on loser plays come up often and are really useful.