SaltWire E-Edition

BRIDGE

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

Book Review

Play It Safe by Barbara Seagram & David Bird published by Master Point Press

Dealer: East

N-S vulnerable NORTH ♠Q1032 ♥Q87

♦AK6 ♣AKJ WEST EAST ♠87 ♠6 ♥3 ♥KJ10954

♦9853 ♦QJ107 ♣1087542 ♣Q9 SOUTH ♠AKJ954

♥A62

♦42

♣63

W N E S 2♥ 2♠

Pass 5♠* Pass 6♠

All Pass

* asks for a heart control Opening Lead: ♥3

South wins the heart ace, draws trump and could take a club finesse to dispose of a heart loser.

The authors point out that there is no need to take a club hook because success is a given as long as West owns the queen. Declarer plays three rounds of diamonds to eliminate that suit and continues with the king, ace and jack of clubs pitching a heart when East does not produce the queen. West scores the queen but then must return a minor, a ruff and a discard, ensuring success.

The extra chance lands the slam here when the queen of clubs drops doubleton.

They comment that declarer's objective at rubber bridge or teams is to make the contract and that playing safe can take many forms. Even at matchpoints, there are times when safety is more important than anything else.

The solutions provided for each deal are excellent and are bound to improve your game.

You can purchase this book for $24.95 from Vince Oddy's Bridge Books and Supplies, Tel: 1-800-463-9815.

Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Copyright 2021 Torstar Syndication Services

CULTURE

en-ca

2021-10-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/282016150534928

SaltWire Network