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Tuesday, July 28, 1998

SHEINWOLD'S BRIDGE

The Trump Promotion

BY FRANK STEWART


       South
             West
                  North
                          East
      1 
             Pass
                  2 
                          Pass
      2 
             Pass
                   3NT
                          Pass
      4 
             Pass
                  4 
                         All Pass
         Opening lead --  6


                                     The more you know about declarer's distribution, the
                                     easier it is to defend. Defeating today's game should be no
                                     problem -- in theory. 

                                     East captured dummy's king of clubs and returned a club.
                                     He succeeded in promoting a trump trick for West -- but
                                     didn't beat the contract. South ruffed with the ace of
                                     trumps, took the king, queen and jack, and next led a good
                                     club and threw a diamond. West ruffed and cashed the
                                     ace of diamonds, but South had the rest. 


                                   SIDE WINNERS

When East took the ace of clubs, he could place South with 5-5-2-1 distribution on the bidding. Since East needs to
cash the defenders' side winners before trying for a trump promotion, he must lead a diamond at Trick Two. West
wins and returns a diamond to the jack, and East then leads a club, assuring the setting trick. 

Even if South had the ace of diamonds (and weaker spades), East's play would be unlikely to cost: South would
surely grab the ace since he'd plan to pitch his low diamond on a good club. 


                                  DAILY QUESTION

You hold:  10 9 5 2  7 4 3  A 9 6 5 2  6 

Your partner opens one spade, and the next player doubles. What do you say? 


                                      ANSWER

Bid three spades, suggesting a weak hand, typically with four-card trump support and a side singleton. This bid will
preempt the opponents and will let your partner judge whether to sacrifice if they reach game. If you had a strong
hand (even one with spade support), you first move would be to redouble. 

                               � 1998, Los Angeles Times Syndicate
                            Brought to you courtesy of OKbridge, Inc.
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