HOMEPAGE > QUIZ > HAMMAN'S TIPS > WEEK 25

Dealer : South
Vuln : Both
HAMMAN'S TIPS #25
by Bob Hamman
the world's #1 ranked player

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     North
    4
    K J 7 4
    K J 9 8 4
    A 8 2
West
A 9 7 3 2
9 8 6 2
7 2
5 4
East You
K J 8
A 10 3
6 5 3
K 9 6 5
 

   South
    Q 10 6 5
    Q 5
    A Q 10
    Q J 10 3

 

Opening lead: 3

This one I got right. I put in the jack to make it easier
for my partner. South won the queen and led the Q.
I won and played K and a spade to defeat the contract.

The problem with playing the king on the first round
is that when you return the jack, partner won't know
if you hold K-J-x or K-J-10-x. In the first case, partner
will have to duck South's queen. In the latter, partner
may have to win the trick and take the first five tricks.

My tip is: When you're sure of gaining the lead,
consider playing your middle card at trick one,
preserving the ace or king for next time. The play
would also have worked from K-10-x, where South
holds Q-9-7-x.

South
1
1NT
3NT

West
pass
pass
all pass

North
1
3
 

East
pass
pass
 


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