The Play's the Thing

by Willie Zurfluh

A Squeeze Without the Count

"As sure a card as ever won the set" - TITUS ANDRONICUS, ACT 5, SCENE 1, LINE 100, ARRON

I was playing on a Monday Night at the Bridge Center with the good Dr. Sternlieb against Norma Alsteen and Ruth Ingram when this unusual hand came up. I was declarer in 2NT with the ª 10 lead. I let it run to my Jack and led a low Heart. Ruth, on my right, won the trick and led the § K. When that held the trick she shifted to the ¨ 9. Norma, on my left, won my 10 with the Jack and exited with a high Spade.

ª A752
© 9864
¨ 8754
§ J
ª Q10983
© 72
¨ AQJ4
§ 106		 ª 6
© 109QJ10
¨ 93
§ KQ85432
ª KJ4
© AK53
¨ K102
§ A97
NorthEastSouthWest
1§Pass
1¨Pass2NTAll Pass

2NT by South
Opening lead: ª 9

I won the Spade in my hand, cashed the § A, and proceeded to run the Hearts. Norma has to make two discards on the Hearts. If she throws 2 Spades, dummy's long Spade will be good. If she throws 2 Diamonds, I can duck a Diamond and set up the ¨ K. What she did do was to pitch one of each. So, I played off the Spades and end-played her in Diamonds.

BREWER BRIDGE HOME