One of the hallmarks of a good declarer is that they are always looking for an extra chance to make the contract or overtricks, especially if the extra chances come at no cost. Too often the less experienced declarer will not look beyond the obvious, and as a result many makeable contracts fall to defeat.

Take a try at this one before you look at the full hand.

South opened four spades and North made the obvious jump to six spades, as there was really no way to investigate the grand slam – West led the heart Queen. Over to you!

At the table declarer won the heart and ran six rounds of trumps in the vain hope of a club discard from someone. When this did not happen he crossed to dummy, took two club pitches on the diamonds and led a club. East cashed two clubs and the contract was defeated. Did you do any better?

Let me show you the full hand (see Figure 1).

There is a free extra chance on this hand. At trick two declarer should play a low diamond from dummy and ruff it with a high spade, keeping the precious spade five.

Now draw two trumps, cross to the spade seven, play Ace-King of diamonds pitching two clubs and ruff a diamond. Since diamonds are 4-4 the last diamond is good for another club pitch, so declarer crosses to the club Ace, cashes the last diamond, gives up a club and claims the contract!

Notice that declarer took no risks in making this play – he was good enough to spot the free second chance and took full advantage – a lesson to be learnt!

• David Ezekiel can be reached at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Friday, February 9

North/South

1. Charles Hall-Martha Ferguson

2. Gertrude Barker-Sharon Shanahan

East/West

1. Margaret Way-Jane Smith

2. John Burville-Molly Taussig

Monday, February 12

1. Gertrude Barker-Jane Smith

2. Stephanie Kyme-Margaret Way

3. John Burville-Makiko Rogers

Tuesday, February 13

1. Heidi Dyson-Keri McKittrick

2. Jean Schilling-Catherine Kennedy

Wednesday, February 14

1. Gertrude Barker -Jane Smith

2. Betsy Baillie-Sharon Shanahan

3. Tracy Nash-Desmond Nash

Thursday, February 15

1. David Petty-Delton Outerbridge

2. Gertrude Barker-John Glynn

3. Claude Guay-Sharon Shanahan