Show BETTER r BRIDGE f fEast By Iy C. C H. H GOREN COREN r East Eat and We Wet We t vulnerable South deals NORTH J 10 5 A J 10 8 K J 2 J WEST VEST EAST 4 K Q 5 3 2 J 8 6 VAS AS 4 4 8 87 7 10 10 9 5 3 SOUTH 10 V K Q 4 3 2 The bidding South West North East EaRt 1 heart Pass 2 diamonds Pass PaM 4 diamonds Pass 4 hearts Pass 6 hearts p Pass ss Pass Pass The technique of the e opening lead cannot be successfully ly employed employed employed em em- unless the defender pays strict attention to the bidding What might normally be the correct correct correct cor cor- lead can very well turn out outto outto to be the worst based on information information information tion obtained during the auction Players should early form the habit of ot beginning to count the opponents' opponents hands as far as ss possible possible possible ble while the bidding is in ress This is a a. habit which it is not easy for many players playe s to form but when acquired will produce extremely ex extremely ex ex- gratifying r results ull As an example If South bids hearts first and then spades stop and make a mental n note te He probably probably ably abl has five hearts and four spades on the pardonable assumption assumption assumption tion that he has some idea as to wh what's t going on If North now supports the four card spade suit quit make a mental note He ver very likely h has four Lour of that suit etc etc Today's hand is a striking ex ex- ample Against the slam contract of six hearts the on the surface lead would be the king of spades in the hope of building up a trick before belore the ace of trumps trump was dis dis- lodged However attention to the bidding will show that a better lead is available Unless North and South are completely out in left field one of ot them has a single single- singleton t ton n spade and a trick in that suit is probably not a bright prospect As the cards were a contract of six diamonds could not have been defeated But against a R. spade opening North will have an anxious moment The spade is won and the trumps tested When East fails fane to follow on the second round declarer must discontinue trumps and drive out the ace of hearts hoping that he can avoid a ruff in that suit Copyright 1948 by C. C H H. Goren oren |