‘The defenders will play: 2) fourth best, b) high from the doubleton, ©) second best from three and more small cards. @) upside dovn count (hi- dd) fx AP 7 Aj & sive PAOLO COELHO STORIES HOW THE PATH WAS OPENED Inman, y Portas ound a sty whi sus ot about the instant choiees we make, One day, a calf had to eross a wild forest to return to his grazing land. Being an irrational animal, it picked a difficult path, full of turnings and going up ‘and down hills, ‘The next day, a dog that was walking in the same area decided to travel along the same path through the forest. Then a sheep that was the leader of his flock eame, and when he saw the well: trodden path he made his followers walk along it too. Later, lots of people started to use this path. They came and Went, turned right and left, climbed up and down, avoided obstacles, complaining and cursing; and they wore right. But they did nothing to find another way through, ‘As more people passed along it, the path became wider. The poor animals grew tired carrying heavy loads, They had to walk for three hours on a journey that would have taken only thirty minutes, if they hadn't followed the path opened first by the ealDo not be a calf Many years passed and the path became the main strect of a village and then the main street of a town. Everybody complained about the traffic because the route was the worst possible, Meanwhile, the old and wise forest laughed at all the people sho blindly followed the well-trodden path, without questionin whether it was the best choice, We make too many mistakes in defence. But even champions make mistakes T have often heard the question: “how can I avoid the simple ‘Simple mistakes often result from a lack of concentration. There is a remedy for that: there are various techniques that can improve our concentration. Another reason is sheer laziness. We make a superficial judgement relying on our own routine and reflexes. We play like a calf; that ig, a slow, awkward, ineffective player dependent on thoughtless routine. How ean we eliminate this bad habit? We have to force our mind to continuous mental offort. At the boginning, it will require a considerable offort. After __ some time, the mental effort will become automatic, This chapter includes 60 defensive problems, in which all calf-like reactions are assigned to myself. It is a useful convention, since the reader should be very satisfied to find a better solution than the author. Calf in the 21% century CALF IN THE 21°" CENTURY would like to present two versions of the same deal VERSION 1 EW Vulnerable Teams e874 ¥Q1043 +75 AA9G4 NW) 45 vAgT2 WF) + KQuse asTz | select the #4 for the opening Toad. Partner covers with the #10 fand declarer wins with the king. West plays a diamond to the {queen, South dropping the #10, and leads a heart to the jack, South following with the ¥8. It looks as if this is a desperate request for a spade return, Having no better option and trying to avoid upsetting my partner I return a spade.Do not be a calf ‘The full hand: 29968 45 vKI vAgr2 *A93 +KQas6 eKQ53 asiz * AKI 102 vs65 #1042 a1 played lke a calf. Why? You will soo. South wins with the spade kking and returns the jack of cubs. He holds the trick and eleverly plays a diamond. West wins with the ace, plays the king of hearts and enters the dummy with a diamond. Have I planned what to discard on the diamond suit? Here comes the ending: 8 vio4 Calf in the 21+ century T have to discard a spade on the last diamond trick. Declarer throws me in with a club and eollects nine tricks. How should I have defended? After the heart quoen I should have played a diamond to cut eclarer’s communications. West would win with the ace in his hand, play the king of hearts and enter the dummy with a diamond, He would arrive at this final position: esa vi04 sag *a96 N) 45 - vAg an lw el Je 2Q50 a87 *AKI10 v6 aa On the last diamond South would discard the ¥6, West the #3, and North the #4. Check for yourself: there is no winning continuation. Do Thave to know that in advanco? It is enough to realize that declarer will not have three convenient diseards on the diamonds he will soon play, What will be the course of events after a diamond return at the fourth trick?Do not be a calf We may come across a champion, who will answer by cashing the king of hearts and underleading his queen of clubs (instead of playing a diamond to the dummy), thereby cutting the defensive communication, When South wins the trick with the jack of clubs, declarer produces this ending: asta v104 sA9 +Q968 No] +5 ve vAo +9 WE qa +05 +8 *AKI102 +6 ve oa 1. South ean return a diamond (the defence of a calf). West will play three rounds of diamonds and ace of hearts, getting rid of clubs. After playing a spade, he will gota trick with the queen of spades. 2 South can play the spade aco and return a diamond (like @ calf). Soon afterwards I will be endplayed, 8. South can play the ace and king of spades and return a diamond (the plan of a wise owl). This is the killing defence since the dummy will be squeezed. 10 Calf in the 21 century VERSION 2 EW Vulnerable ‘Teams NB s_ INT Pass 26 Pass Be Pass ONT AllPass +874 19643 +75 sages N +5 vAgT2 WB] + KQuse as7z is ime Ido not have the ton of ents. Thane the #8 for my seinen Barer lw with he #10 and delve wine et ng: West play '"dnnend to the queen South Taine eigen o10 and plays a beat othe ck, South flowing with tho #8, I remember!!! Yes, after winning the trick with the queen T sbould return a diamond cutting the communication snd...T played like a eal uDo not be a calf. ‘This isthe final six-card position: 2Q96 v 453 284 v64 sag N wg 25 vA os 487 #AKI10 v0 ar Declarer, who does not have the option of a throw-in, will eash the heart ace and the sight of the ton falling wil be just what he needs. Of course, instead of a diamond, I should have played a spade to create this four-eard ending: a8 vo aa 2Q9 N ] + ve vag ws] J8 +95 s | 4s 2 Calf in the 21° century Now I would let declarer throw me in with the club ace. Two off will be our reward. Note that if make a mistake at trick four and return a diamond ‘against a champion declarer, who is good enough to win and tunderlead his club queen, South may come to the defence’s reseue by cashing the spade ace and returning a diamond, Now in the four-card ending I will be ‘endplayed’ with the club ace to lead hearts Digficult isnt it? Yes, but defensive and declarer play techniques with which even average players are familiar today were a secret wisdom of the very best players forty years ago. In twenty years time such analyses will be a piece of cake. 13Do not be a calf BE FAIR TO THE CALF 1 It is not always the case that an unsuccessful move can be classified as @ mistake. From time to time, it is a matter of @ correct guess. ‘None Vulnerable Pairs woN pos Te Pass 26" Pass BY Pass 4a All Pass *—constructive 21098 vAT #Asas 46532 2Q4 von +KJ976 2Q108 Lead #2. I ducked the eight and declarer won the trick, ruffed heart, drew trumps and claimed 11 tricks. “4 Be fair to the calf 1 ‘The full hand: SAK 765 21098 VKQ64 vAT #105 + A843 ea7 46582 4Q4 vo52 +KJ976 4Quos “You are a cal,” said my partner. One does not have to he s0 critical of unsuccessful moves. The location of the queen of spades at the first trick was not obvious. Its not so clear-cut that North will have elected to underlead his jack of trumps. 6Do not be a calf Let us imagine a slightly difforent card layout. 2582 ¥Q10s3 +Q2 aKI94 sAKI76 +1098 VKI64 VAT +105 +A843 ear s6582 ‘This time we cover the eight with the queen, “You are a calf." our partner will say when declarer plays to ruff the fourth heart and wwe can no longer overrufl! 16 Be fair to the calf 2 BE FAIR TO THE CALF 2 Does the failure to find a difficult move mean that one plays like acall? All of a sudden, the bidding took off dramatically here. Both Vulnerable Teams w = Ts Pass 2¥ Pass 24 Pass 94 Pass S¥ Pass 6 All Pass Reaching @ slam without the use of Blackwood suggests a diamond void in the dummy. 2165 vKI1072 #AK872 +K2 v56 #AK542 4595 Nevertholoss, partner made the opening lead of the queen of ‘diamonds. Declarer ruffed and played a spade to the nine, North, ‘won with the queen and exited with a spade. West claimed 12 tricks a few moments later, 7Do not be a calf ‘The full hand 274 vORG8 +386 104 sA19ss [N | 4465 vAQ vKI1072 swo7s |W BL ye £95 eAKs72 *K2 vse +AK542 20965 ‘Thore were two solutions to this very difficult problem, 1. North could have ducked the queen of spades. West would have ruffed a diamond, entered his hand with the aco of hearts, and cashed the spade ace, He would then have had to ‘guess in which suit the holder of the spade honour had at least three eards: in hearts or in clubs? 2. Lshould have played the king on the first round of spades. ‘You can check for yourself that West would now be helpless. In what situation will playing the king of spades on the second round be bad for the defence? 1s Be fair to the calf? a) If declarer has the following hand: #AQxxx vag axxe In this deal, declarer will manage an overtrick when we could hhave eld him to 12 tricks, b) With the hand below: *AQxxx vAxx 2x Playing the king on the second round will make declarer’s life However, rising with the king is not an easy manocuvre and the calf can be forgiven. wDo not be a calf BE FAIR TO THE CALF 3 ‘There are hands in which it is almost impossible to make @ sensible analysis. NS Vulnerable ‘Teams wWoN Eg os ie Pass ly Pass 24 Pass BY Pass 4¥ All Pass oa vo2 +Q10s6s 4AKI 105 so8643 VAKS +Ka9 492 Lead 4. Declarer takes this with the ace and plays the ¥9. 1 duck. All of the players I tested ducked without giving it a second ‘thought. The reason was obvious: we need partner on lead to play through the diamond qucen. The problem is that we have to duck ata natural tempo, which prevents a thorough analysis. Declarer most likely has two spades and six hearts. Why two spades? Because he did not play to raff spades in the dummy. Let us consider two possible hand shapes: 20 Be fair to the calf’ 3 1) 2-6-2-3 ‘The defenders counted on a hand like this: eke ¥Q 108643 #A5 aque ‘This is the West hand where ducking the heart at an even tempo will et the game, Sti, there is an argument against ducking: a jump in a suit usually promises a slightly better suit than this. ‘What options do we have? b) 2-6-3-2 If this is the distribution we can disrupt declarer's ‘communications, regardless of whether our partner has a heart honour. Here comes the full deal: 2Q91075 vis o72 4Q763 eK aA ¥Qs10863 yoo oAba + Qos asa #AKII05 2Do not he a calf Lean rise with a trump honour at the second trick and play a club, win the heart continuation and play on clubs again. Summing up: a) Against a 2— 6 —2~ 8 West distribution, we have to find a heart honour with our partner, b) Against a2 ~ 6 - 3-2 West distribution, we can always set the game by cutting the communication, ‘Tho distributions are similar, and there is no evidence to suggest that one is more likely than the other. Therefore itis much better to play to cut declurer’s communication, Of course, declarer may have seven hearts, but then there is no ‘chance to beut the contract Py Calf at the height of fame CALF AT THE HEIGHT OF FAME ‘The calf rose to the height of its ability. Tt ereated a false {impression as to his sido’s honour location. EW Vulnerable ‘Teams w s T+ Pass Pass Dbl Pass ay Pass 4¥ All Pass N sAKI10 vKJ109 WE) 4152 a5 2874 ¥Q63 + AKQE akse After the #7 opening lead I eashed three diamond tricks. On the third round of diamonds partner discarded a club. 1 exited with the king of clubs. Declarer, misguided by this move, finessed North for the queen of hearts, One can hardly blame him for that: T had already shown 14 points (being marked with the #KQ, along with the *AKQ) and our INT opening promises 15 ~ 17 points, Result: one off. 2aDo not be a calf ‘The full hand: 265 ved +73 #109732 498 N *AKI10 vATO2 vKJ109 +d984 w #1052 446 a5 e874 ¥Q63 + AKQ6 aKs4 fag South Thad held a slightly different hand: e052 r94 V3 slo97432 +098 N] sAKs10 warez Kai #J984 w #1052 aA aio 874 +868 FAK QE +KQ5 then after cashing three diamond tricks I should exit with a small club, insinuating that one of the club honours is with my partner, ‘What if declarer lets the club run to the jack? Well, he won't do that. He can count to ten: four hearts, four spades, the jack of diamonds and the ace of clubs come ta ten tricks, yy Halfwit eal HALFWIT CALF ‘There isa saying, “to stare like a halfwit “The opponents reached the heaet game here in no time at al. Both Vulnerable Teams Es 1 Pass iy Pass 29 Pass ay AllPass 2875 vA10S2 +Ag AAI98 #QJ10 waa +7642 4KT5 Partner led the #5, Declarer won with the ace, following with the ten from his hand, and played a diamond from the dummy. On the first diamond trick I enrefully played the #7, indicating odd number of cards. On the second diamond T followed with a sophisticated 4, showing values in both black suits (46 — values in spades only, #2 ~in clubs). 25Do not be a calf. ‘The full hand: sacs v6 eks853 e645 +Ko42 N] #875 ¥KQI975 vAI082 +10 w +Ag 4Q10 eAJo8 *Qao vas #7642 eKI5 jake up and rise with the quoen,” I rebuke myself rather too late. Why? Declarer discarded a club on the #9 and secured the contract rregardiess of the location of the club king and spade ace. Now the safe ruffing finesse in clubs brings the contract home. 26 ‘Transparent TRANSPARENT ‘The old cow thinks she was never a calf, “Make your play clear,” we often hear our partner say. ‘a suggestion we should follow every time. NS Vulnerable Teams WoN Fos Te* Pass 1¢ Pass QNT Pass SNT All Pass + may be short 275 vQgs ead aKQiss N] sags ,) VK 104 WE yases e542 T lead the #K and continue the suit. Declarer wins the third round, partner discarding a spade, then crosses to the dummy with the heart king and plays a diamond, South follows with the nine and declarer wins in hand with the queen. On the next ‘diamond trick I play the ten, indicating heart values; declarer ducks and our partner wins with the king. Declarer elaims nine ticks, a7Do not be a calf Here comes the full dea: ats 4993 sao *KQI53 Kg N] sags vAGo + kio4 2q752 WOE! gases snios so12 s106492 vaste +K9 as7 ‘The hand is worth a careful analysis. When the Professor (who examines our mistakes) gots to review the deal, this is what he all discuss the tries in order of appearance” ‘Trick 1: Bverybody played correctly. ‘Trick 2: Declarer, West, made a mistake: he should have won the club ace on the second round of clubs. ‘Trick & South, as a defender, now had the chance to discard the king of diamonds on the third round of clubs. ‘Trick 4: West did the right thing by entering the dummy with the heatt king and underleading his ace of diamonds, Why? Entering the dummy with the ace of diamonds would have created another opportunity for South to unblock his king. ‘Trick 5: South did a good job as a defender by ducking with the doubleton king of diamonds. 28 ‘trick 6: North played like a calf. He should have played the jack on the second round of diamonds, suggesting the following layout: 2752 vQoa ont eKQU53 +AKQ e398 vAGS vKI04 £752 + A863 44109 e642 210643 vas72 +k109 as7 [Now if declarer ducks the jack of diamonds he will go down. 29Do not be a calf. CONCEITED CALF Unjustified self-confidence is a feature typical of conceited calves, None Vulnerable Pairs woN epios INT Pass SNP AllPase 295 ware sTe50 sAie2 2KIsea vss #1083 455 Lead J. West wins with the king and plays a spade to the queen. win the triek and exit with the diamond three, Partner wins the declarer’s king with the ace and switches back to hearts. It would hhave been better to keep playing diamonds but North was not sure of the diamond layout the could not see the #2). West wins with the ace in the dummy and plays a spade to the nine, North discarding a heart, Declarer exits with a diamond, partner following with the nine. I'am trying to concentrate, Declarer’s hand is an open book: *A109x% VKQx +Kx aKxx 30 Conceited calf He is left with these cards: *A10x vK . aKxx IfT overtake the nine of diamonds and cash my two established diamond tricks declarer will be squeezed. 4) Ifhe discards two spades, I will return a spade and wait for a club triek b) the discards a spade and a club I will exit with a club and wait for a spade trick I played accordingly Hore comes the full dea: vr10932 + Ads #Qsee sA1ga2 [NN] 2Q5 vKQ4 6 +k WE) 4765 4Ki8 #41092 *KI863 vss #1083 a5 On the last diamond, declarer discarded the queen of hearts!!! aDo not be a calf ‘This was the final position: ‘There was nothing I could do, a) If Tplayed a spade, partner would be squeezed in hoarts and clubs, }b) TFT played the jack of clubs, the situation would be similar. ‘The result ~ one off — scored only 27%, Why? The contract was typical, but some declarers failed by two tricks. It would have boon enough to duck partner's nine of diamonds. Then a third heart by partner prevents this position from arising. On the third heart I would have discarded a spade and in this final position: 2 Conceited ealt +76 eai092 21s #10 405 Declarer wouldn't have come to eight tricks. I had not foreseen the oxcellent discard of the heart qucon by declarer. My self- confidence had put me off the right track. a3Do not be a calf CALF-~NOTAFLY14 Ay is a symbol of vigilance; the calf, just the opposite, A meagre collection of cards inspires one to lnzincss, NS Vulnerable Teams woN Fos Pass 24° Pass 2NT Pass SNT All Pass *—natural, game forcing + 1098652 van +2 +Ki02 ama v A105 Bl sakrsa e575 ‘Lead #10. Partner covered with the jack and West won with the ‘queen. A diamond played by declarer was ducked in the dummy... 3 Calf not a fly 1 Here comes the full deal: + 1098652 van +a2 akio2z 2AKQ3 ata vKoT vA105 +83 eAKT64 49864 as75 After winning the trick with the #9, South was in a difficult situation, The hest thing he could do was to exit with the queen of, hearts, Declarer won with the ace in the dummy and had to focus his attention on the club suit. South won the jack of clubs with the ace and played the #5 to the jack and ace. Declarer cashed the king of diamonds, discarding a spade from his hand, and finessed a heart, On the next trick, West conceded a club and I won the trick. Declurer ended up with three spades, three hearts, two diamonds and a club. Note that as North, I could have defended better on two 1, should have played the jack of diamonds on the second trick. Deelaror would have had to duck. Then I could have played a hart. In course of the play, I would have had the lead again after winning a trick with the club king and I would have played through dummy’s heart holding a second time, 35Do not be a calf 2. The second oecasion would have required a lot of imagination on defence, These cards were alive after the first three tricks: $98652 va od #K102 sAKs N 47 vKo vi05 +8 WE) sake #Qa64 ag75 ¥ 3863 #Q105 A938 ‘West plays the jack of clubs, partner rises with the ace and North should follow promptly with the ten, South plays a diamond to the king. Declarer will eash the diamond ace, discarding a spade from his hand, finesse a heart and give up a club trick. Due to North's unblocking the #10, South will win the trick and the established diamond will be the setting trick. You may say that the #10 discard givos declarer the opportunity to bring the contract home by finessing the #8. True, but following promptly. with the ten of clubs suggests that North holds #K 10 9, 36 Calf not a ly 2 CALF —-NOTAFLY2 ‘The calf is always wise after the event. None Vulnerable Pairs woN s ~ Te Be Pass Pass Dbl All Pass, +1082 aQsas N] +4 ¥Qs103 WE ys64 aka765 Lead ¢8, Partner carefully collected the trick with the queen, continued with the king and declarer rulfed the third round of diamonds with the #8. The sequence of diamonds played by partner indicated club values. I ose with the queen on declurer’s lead of the #4 and played through dummy’s king of clubs, declarer ducking in dummy. On the second round of clubs declarer ruffed with the 48 and played the king of spades, I won with the ace, partner discarding a heart. A club was ruffed with #9 and ...on the fourth round of trumps declarer played the #5, throwing me in with the seven! a‘The full hand: #198543 VAG +95 a Do not be a calf *AQ72 vie +1082 4Qd43 N wz s +6 vK954 eAkQT3 #4109 oa ¥QJ103 64 #Ks765 | forgot to unblock the seven of spades. In the four-card ending T won a trump trick but that was all T ould get at vie as vKo 73 * Result: two off. +300 was worth only 796. Had I have kept the two of erumps, partner would have cashed two tricks, 38 Calf not a fly 2 lw vK9 e738 oa Result: three off, +500 would have soared 93%. Why such a big difference in the score? We could have made 8NT easily, Results of nine or ten tricks in INT were quite popular on the travelling score. How was it possible to take only nine tricks? After a spade ‘opening lead North finessed clubs twice without cashing the ace of spades, stranding a trick in the dummy. After cashing the diamond winners East won a hoart trick and established a club. ‘This way declarer did not get a triek with the spade ace. a9Do not be a calf CALF -NOTAFLY 3 ‘Take an active part in the game. I know how often we think that there is nothing we ean do, Still, on many boards this is not true. opened a weak two in first position and the bidding took off immediately: EW Vulnerable Teams won s oy Dbl 34 Pass 54 be Ge Ge All Pass N eae v753 WF + AQsaa #1098 47 vKQss64 +62 #063 Load ¥2. Declarer wins the jack with the ace and draws trumps jn four rounds. Partner foliows each time and I discard three small hearts, Declarer plays a diamond ta the queen and a club. 1 show the count and to my surprise, declarer discards a diamond. 40 Calf not a fly 8 Here is the full deal 28658 +9 SAK IT542 *AKQsie[ N | #42 vA109 vT5S skios7 [WE] sages re 21098 “7 VKQJ864 +162 #963 1 played like a calf. The diamonds were blocked and my only responsibility was to rise with the club queen. Of course, West could make the contract if after winning the diamond queen he hhad finessed the jack... but why would he! aDo not be a calf CALF —-NOTAFLY 4 Routine subdues creativity. EW Vulnerable Match w Bos INP 26 Dbl2a Pass Pass 3NT All Pass + 2-4 s+ “At least 6 —4 in the majors +AG4 vA1032 + Az 4Q5a2 o983 ve +KQs763 470087 Partner selected the opening lead of the king of spades and followed with the queen, West ducking twice as 1 followed with the nine (showing an odd number) and S# (which indicated diamond values). Partner dutifully played a diamond and West ‘ducked again. After winning the diamond trick with the queen 1 ‘continued the suit and, Here comes the layout: 475 vKITS +1109 AAKGS Calf nota fly 4 eAea vA1032 oan 4Q532 2988 +KQ8763 211087 Declarer played the ace of elubs, king of hearts and jack of hearts, ducking the queen and arriving at this end position: via on akes 20108 v986 * 23 7 +Ks aJ108 43Do not be a calf ‘After winning a ick with the heart queen North exited with a spade, West discarding a club. On the first round of hearts I ean discard a diamond, but what next? How elso could 1 have dofended this hand? After winning the queen of diamonds a spade return would have broken up the diamond-elub squeeze. Why? Declarer ean no Tonger duck the queen of hearts because North has two established spade winners Calf not an owl 1 CALF —-NOT AN OWL 1 ‘Thoughtlessness is the regular state for most defenders, not the exception. ‘A competitive auction quickly climbed to the five-level. Both Vulnerable Teams ie ove Se Dbl te 5A ANPass N] +k WB) YSha 2Qs10982 #AQ1068 Tiose 54 Lead ¥K. Declarer won with the ace and drew two rounds of ‘trumps, partner discarding a heart on the second round. Declarer then played four rounds of diamonds raffing in the dummy, North following suit for two rounds, and then gave up a spade trick. Partner signalled to show an even number of spades, which was obvious from the bidding and the play thus far, After winning the spade ace, I exited safely with the quoen of spades. 45Do not be a calf. Here is the deal: e9542 ¥KQs1082 +106 47 as7 VATE +AKQ3 SAKES *AQs 1063 +5982 254 Was the #Q really a safe return? Declarer will discard a heart and now a ruff and discard will bring the contract home. The only defensive chance is to find the #9 with our partner, After winning a trick with the spade ace I should have played a small spade back. North will win the trick, and now discarding a heart no longer helps declarer. 46 Calf—not an owl? CALF - NOT AN OWL 2 ‘Bven if'a good idea aocurs to the calf, he will not think it through, ‘The bidding climbed too high. 1 did not really know what to do with my two aces. Should T double? EW Vulnerable ‘Teams woN gf 8s Ty Pass 2NT* Pass 3s Pass 4¥— Pass by All Pass *— game foreing with heart support kK ¥Qo54 WF) equa SAKro sAgaTs +8 Abs 2Qe4a ‘The jack of clubs opening lead was not exactly what I wanted. Declarer ruffed and played the heart ace and a heart to the ‘queen, partner following with the ten and jack of hearts. Declarer ruffed a scoond elub and crossed to dummy with a heart, He then discarded three diamonds, including the #K, on the established clubs, Is all lost? aDo not be a calf No, not if the calf makes a thorough analysis. Declares's distribution is clear: 4 — 6 ~ 3 — 0. In the final position, he has only one trump left. You have to duck the king of spades, Here is the full deal: #1063 v1 si 762 su 1098 equie N] +k wAKOTS2 + Q054 +Ko8 \w El 4 Quos = SAKT52 savers vs vasa +9643 ‘Tis isthe ending +106 +it6 : 4Qs4a2 N eK vs +6 + \w El squs = Po sas 7 vAod 48 Calf not an owl 2 1f I duck the king of spades declarer will next play a diamond, discarding a spade, and partner will be put in an awkward position, Returning a spade would establish the queen of spades Jo declarer's hand, Exiting with a diamond is much better. West ‘might misguess the diamond position, which is the best we ean hope for. The main thing is whether we stayed cool during the cenurse of the bidding and play. In this case, the calf produced a partial analysis but did not chink through the whole deal. It would have heen correct to keep three spades and two diamonds. OF course, partner should keep three diamonds and two spades. +10 2Qa4 - v6 +s . ‘As we can see, thore is nothing declarer can do in this ending. He ‘has to play a low diamond. North, after winning the trick, will exit with a spade, and declarer has no winning option. 49Do not be a calf CALF —- NOT AN OWL 3. It is strange haw easily the majority of experienced players put themselves in the calf’s position. Here they thought that their play was irrelevant. NS Vulnerable ‘Teams Ww oN Bos Te Pass 2NT* Pass 4s All Pass. % game forcing with spade support % —Sub-minimum (with or without shortage) 2963 vAI09863 +2 41108 eas7 ¥Q6 eAK 1093 4K75 | lead the #3. My jack won the trick and I continued clubs. West ruffed and cashed the ace and king of spades, South following suit, Declarer then played the #Q to the ace, ruffed a club, and led ‘the jack of diamonds. I analysed the distribution of the eelarer as 5 ~ 4 — 3 ~ 1 and decided to withhold the queen of spades, By the fourth round of diamonds I did not like at all what ‘was happening, but it was already too late 50 Calf not an owl 3 Here is the full deal 463 vA109863 02 #3108 4 AK952 N ss87 vs7a2 ¥Q6 +Qus IWF) ¢AKi98 a2 “KTS s94 vK o8764 FAQa643 West reeled off the diamond suit, Ruffing in on the fourth or fifth round would not help much: the hearts were blocked. Whether 1 ruffed the ninth, tenth, ar eleventh trick, partner would then win his singleton king of hearts and have to concede a ruff and sluff. I should have ruffed the second or thin! round of diamonds and played a heart to unblock the suit ([ would be free from the ‘ndplay). Partner could then exit with a diamond. 51Do not be a calf Calf not an owl & CALF - NOT AN OWL 4 Before you win a trick, consider whether it might be better to duck it. EW Vulnerable Teams WoN Bos 1@ Pass Iv Pass INT Pass 24% Pass 2NT* Pass GNT All Pass ~ game forcing check back. w+ exactly 2 hearts ok vAKAS2 +652 4762 2Qa7 ¥Q865, ead aks5 ‘Load #10. I unblock the queen. Declarer plays a diamond to the ‘queen and continues with the jack; partner signals club values by playing the #9 and #10, 1 win with the diamond ace and play the jack of spades. West ducks. I pause to consider my next move and. 52 ‘The full hand: + 1098642 v109 +109 #Qi04 eA58 N ek vaT vAKAS2 9 Qs8s WOR sKes2 A983 s 2762 2Qu7 ¥Qs6s oars aKI5 I know that I played like a calf here. [ knew every single card in dleclarer's hand. sAxx vis +quss BAxxx ‘What defensive options dia I have? 8) IfTcontinue with spades, West will win, overtake the #8 with the king and play a heart to the jack. The six of diamonds provides the vital entry to the dummy. b) If L owiteh to clubs, declarer will duck twice and collect nine ticks. Of course, T should have ducked the jack of diamonds, which would have cut declarer’s communication, 5aDo not be acalf CALF -NOT A FOX ‘This time, Tam playing in a match, Both Vulnerable Teams woN fos ly Pass 2@ Pass QNT* Pass SNT All Pase *~ good hand 4863 va7 + K 10954 2Qan No] 4752 v2 WE) sare 4AK 10962 Lead #10. Partner wins the trick with the queen and returns @ diamond. Declarer ducks and I continue the suit, partner discarding a heart. West enters his hand with the spade ace, South following with the #4, indicating an even number of spades, and plays a club to the nine in the dummy. a4 Calf not a fox ‘The full hand: 2863 vor +K10954 2Q43 +AK10 N e752 vAK 1068 v2 +588 WF sare 485 AK 10962 sQs94 vQssed +Q2 ads Result: 10 tricks. “Do not be a calf, rise with the queen of clubs,” I chastise myself, Declarer has five henrts, three diamonds and three spades s0 there is room for only two elubs in his hand. I could have put West in a difficult situation. He could not duck the club queen as Thad two established diamond winners. If he erosses back to his hhand and finesses clubs again I shall have achieved my goal. If he plays clubs from the top it will cost me an overtrick ~ but it is worth the chance to set the contract. 55Do not he a calf. AUTOMATIC 1 ‘The calf is always satisficd with himself... until itis too late. ‘There was some unusual bidding here. Both Vulnerable ‘Teams w FS _ INT Pass 2NT 34 Pass de All Pass eka ¥KI102 +9853 472 242 ¥Q6 eAdae sJ10985 Partner cashed the club ace as I eonteibuted the jack, and continued with the club king. He then shifted to a spade. Declarer won the jack, played the spade king and exited unexpeetedly with the king of diamonds. I tried to win with the ace; West ruffed, drow the outstanding trump and played a heatt to the king. On the second round of hearts the queen and ace collided, 56 Automatic 1 ‘The full hand 2765 vAd #1076 eAKQ3 saquwgsa[—N ] sks v9sT5s ¥KJ102 a WF) eKossa 404 a7 we ¥Q6 + Adan As 10985 Only a wild distribution in West's hand justifies his risky entry into the hidding at the three-level. We may safely assume that declarer has something like a 6 ~ 5 or 7 ~4 pattern. Playing the kking of diamonds is so bizarre that it roveals declarer’s intention: hhe wants to find out about the honour location. The only solution to this problem is to duck the king of diamonds without giving it f second thought. One should be prepared for such unusual moves by the declarer and stay cool. If the #AKQ and #A are ‘assumed to be located with North, declarer will not be able to {Zuess the location of the missing heart honours correctly. 37Do not be eal AUTOMATIC 2 Socrates believed that we have to be aware of what we know and what we do not. To make it more simple, we have to know when being too careful doesn't pay. None Vulnerable Teams NEB os Pass ANT Pass 5¥* Pass Ge All Pass * —2 keycards without the #Q (RKC Blackwood) 282 ¥Qd105 #1062 2Q72 N] *aa Ww on] YAKesTo 2K985 Lead ¥@. Declarer won, played two rounds of trumps and a heat. Tearefully played the ten. 58 Automatic 2 ‘The full hand: 282 ¥QU105 #1062 2Q72 2AKI10765 24 va vAK9873 +k75 +A ae aKo8s ‘West covered the ten with the king, then played the ¥9 and discarded a club. How would I know that he had only one club? ‘The line of play seemed to indicate a 7 ~ 2 ~ 2 ~ 2 distribution: West did not try to ruff a diamond, Not until Inter did I realise that declarer lacked the communiestion to ruff a diamond, Actually, there was nothing to be afraid of. Yes, inserting the heart ten prevents declarer from taking a deep finesse, but the dcop heart finesse is not a play you should be worried about declarer finding. The odds are heavily on a 3-2 distribution in hearts. (Additionally declarer might reason that with a 4-1 break, the majority of players would play the ten, so that is not the lie of the cards), An additional argument is that an unsucceseful deep finesse will see declarer go down in ridiculous fashion, Additionally, with hearts breaking 4-1, West has one more chance fo make his slam, that of the ace of clubs being onside. True, if the opening lead of the queen of hearts was made without thought and North hesitated before playing the five, I would consider taking a deep finesse in hearts. This is another good 59Do not be a eal reason for defenders to be aware that they should try not to give anything away by their tempo, whether it be playing too fast or too slow 60 Automatic 3 AUTOMATIC 3 T have seen more than one “automatic” play from excellent players A moment of reflection would have prevented the mistake, but their analysis is often belated. EW Vulnerable ‘Teams w Es NT Pass SNT All Pass 2105 vAdS \w edi082 4AQe 296432 ¥Qioss #1086 Lead 47, Declarer plays the #10, I automatically cover with the queen, oDo not be a calf Here is the full deal: *ags7 vase +K763 452 +KI N #105 vKoT VAIS sagas [WB ¢siose eK743 sAQie 4Q6432 ¥Q1086 +5 41086 ‘Sound analysis is obligatory — even in situations where one’s play appears to be forced. Pariner has 7-8 points. In spacdes he may hold: a) AKS7 ® Ass7 ® A987 b) AK97 ©) KJ87 ©) AIST 9 Ks97 ‘The location of the spade queen is irrelevant to the fate of the contract. Ing, @), and g), ducking will defeat the game if declarer does not hhave nine ready tricks. In), b), 6), and D, ducking will give away an overtrick. In a pairs tournament, you would have a real problem here. However at toams itis far more likely that with holdings a) or b) partner would lead the ace so ducking the queen is the indieated play. 62 Automatic 4 AUTOMATIC 4 Some are interested in exceptions, others in rules. Which is more important? The calf applies rules instilled by his first bridge teachers consistently, and regardless of the context Our next board features a long and complicated auction. NS Vulnerable ‘Teams Bs vy Pase 3e 46 Pass ay, 4 Pass aNT 5a Pass Sv" Pass SNT Pass Bat Pass TNT All Pass + —inguiry about number of kings ** grand slam invitational +Kos vd1084 o74 #QJ107 N 2 A108 VAQTSS WE) eS kao On the opening lead of the 4@, declarer won in his hand with the ce (partner signalling an even number of clubs) and checked the heart distribution. On the third round of hearts partner and 63Do not be a calf Automatics declarer followed with small spades, ‘The king of diamonds was ok overtaken with the ace and the spade queen appeared on the vs table. a 4Q What was going on? To be safe, I covered the queen with the king Here comes the full board +10 a6 +K63 9 vai084 - +74 + 2Qqi07 08 sqaa WN] #Au0s 385 eAQT5S If South held the spade king there would be a classic double Taqwos2(¥ 2] Ks squeeze. As the eards lie, there i no squeeze 246 +K32 9752 92 +653 4985 ‘The problem is not easy. I should not have relaxed but have taken advantage of declarer's reflection and made my own analysis. Six diamonds, two clubs, three hearts and the spade ace ‘make a total of twelve tricks. A spade finesse or a double squeeze might provide the thirteenth trick. The spade queen was played with the intention of checking where the king was. I should follow with a small spade in normal tempo. The slightest hesitation ‘would give away the location of the king. If I play low smoothly, declarer will probably overtake the queen with the ace to arrive at this end position: otDo not bea calf Automatic 8 AUTOMATIC 5 ‘he al ant eas ‘The bidding was swf er, bu il managed to acquire same $3 Forman aoa opened Taso 2Q8652 None Vulnerable e738 N 2AQoa Nene Skoosz [Sy] Satie. TEES ee Iho 85 FP + ki0862 isa IN Pas “ i APas +4 oes hey *— game forcing with hoart support NW] sages VAIIOGS WEL 472 445 +k 10862 va Qu063 eKo7 Partner made the opening lead of the #J, declarer ducking. With KJ 10, we lead the jack, Somewhat surprised I followed with the ‘46, Partner continued the attack on spades. At the second trick, West won the #4, drew trumps in two rounds and played a club to the ten. There was nothing North could do. T hhad screwed up the defence at the first trick, ‘My reasoning should have boen as follows: 1. Declarer must have some reason to give up on the chance of North having the K J 10. 2% Considering his jump to 4¥, West is most likely to be ‘minimum and completely balanced. Ducking the jack of spades represents an attompt to keep the angerous opponent off lead, Declarer probably wants to prevent me from playing through his diamond holding. The defence I should have found was to overtake the jack of spades and play the diamond ten. Will the extra spade trick allow the contract to make? With West's distribution being 2— 5-3-8, one discard will not help. 6Do not be a calf Automatic 6 AUTOMATIC 6 g97 Meekness and passivity in bridge are not the way to victory o ‘There is no excuse for failing to think, even with poor cards, + Quo Wo] ee v - Both Vulnerable + WE ak ‘Teams ed wWoN gE os v108 Te Pass 2@ Pass on 2NT* Pass 36 Pass 2a 44 Pass 44 Pass dv Pass aNT Pass Our endpluyed partner had to lead into the spade tenace. Bad Set Pass Ge All Pass luck, we think, to come across such excellent declarer play + extra values ** 2 keyeards with the #Q (RKC Blackwood) reer vAT eKQs2 4Ksa3 +k 108652 4978 491052 Opening lead ¥Q. I signal an odd number of cards in the suit. Declarer cashes the ace of spades, shattering my hopes fora trick, bbut he doos not look too happy about it. After much thought, he plays the ace of clubs, a club to the king in the dummy and a small club, I follow with the ten, ruffed by West. Time to rug a heart in the dummy. Declarer continues with three rounds of diamonds to arrive at this end position: 65 Hore is the fll deal: + Ques vKas + A108 eAG e975 vQus +654 #987 N wor +k ¥ 108652 +973 #Q1052 sAsa vAT + KQu2 aKsis How seldom we notice when we have played like a ealf. What did Tdo wrong?Do not be acalf (On the third club trick I should have followed with the queen, From the point of view of declarer, the position could have been different, + ai06 +8 +8 +KQ : ss From his viewpoint, the only sensible move would now be to discard on the club jack. And he would have a nasty surprise! 0 Automatic 7 AUTOMATIC 7 'A simple problem runs into routine defence and thus an inferior sequence of defensive plays BW Vulnerable ‘Teams w oN EF Ss TINT Pass 2NT Pass ANT AllPase N] #965 7995 WE + KQdio2 a52 231043 vki02 + A65 urs Lead ¥3. Declarer plays the five and I automatically follow with the ten, Even before West wins with the ace I know I have played Tike a calf nDo not be a calf Here is the deal: 287 v1645 973 2KQ96 *AKQ2 N7] #965 VAST ¥Q95 Ba Iw #K Qs 02 21083 452 I have created an entry to the dummy. Declarer will have to ‘guess the heart layout, but had I played the deuce on the first trick West would not have had any chance. If after following with the ¥2 I duck the diamond only once (which should not be difficult after partner signals count) T can beat the contract by two trieks. At the table deelarer won the ten of hearts with the face and gave up a diamond trick, I ducked once as partner signalled count, won the diamond continuation and, following partner's signals (#8 on the second round of diamonds, low suit preference), returned the jack of clubs. West ducked clubs twice, ‘won the third round and played a heart to the nine. How did he uncover the heart distribution? He knew that the fourth club was with North. After my poor play ‘of the heart ten, all was still not yet lost. I should have concealed the club distribution, 7 Automatic 7 Let's assume that after winning the ace of diamonds | return the 4 and my partner cooperates beautifully by winning with the rine and playing the queen, then the six. This way North ‘Simulates a different club layout: N#Qo6 SaKITs ‘Therefore declarer would place the club king with South, leading toa misguess in hearts. This excellent dofonce would have beaten, the contract three tricks. Let's imagine a different layout, in which T have switched the hearts and clubs. 287 vKe4g +973 +KQes sAKQ2 N 2965 vAST vQ95 esd WB) + KQui02 +A 1098 Ss $52 #1043 vJ102 +A65 anna Lead 3, Deelarer plays the five, and I automatically play the ten. T know that it would have been better to play the jack. T would hhave increased the chances of putting declarer off track in juessing the heart honows, BDo not be a calf Stil, these types of manoeuvres are rarely successful. Why? ‘The key is that partner is also misled. Let us follow the course of events if I play the jack of hearts at the first trick. West wins with the ace and plays a diamond back. We win the second round and retura a club, On the second round of elubs, declarer wins the club ace and plays a heart. North can’t soe why he should duck, More than that, he needs to duck without giving it second thought, So how, as South, can we persuade partner to find this smooth duck? Maybe by playing a Smith Echo or using the #6 as heart suit preference? North should be able to reason out that I eannot hhave a spade honour: after all, there are only 40 points in a deck of cards, I strongly approve of thinking about these issues in advance and agreeing an approach with your partner. I think that bridge analysis will gradually evolve in this direction, to address questions ofthis sort u Automatic 8 AUTOMATIC 8 ‘This chapter might bo entitled: “Calf — Nota Chess Playor:” None Vulnerable Teams woN 8 ae 44 Pass de Pass 5e Pass 6& All Pass sAaKQst VKQ753 +A2 as e802 v2 +k Qu973 a652 Lead #10, West wins with the ace and comes to his hand with the heart ace, then plays a spade to the dummy. On the second round of spades, declarer discards a diamond. He next plays the king of hearts. I'ruff and declarer overruffs and plays the trump ace. [Now declarer eashes the club ace and partner begins to think. %Do not be a calf Here comes the full bad 25975 vJ109864 +10 4Ko +10 N | sAk@s4 vA YRQ7SS +8654 WweoE) ae #AQ108743 an 2882 ve eKQso73 s602 ‘This is the final position: 439 vJ1096 N] #asa . vQ7s +86 WR) ee sAQqus7s ar 46 #KQu97 265 Partner discards the club king on the ace, but unfortunately he hhas mot his equal. West plays the 48 and my partner must win the trick. [congratulate both players on the excellent duel, 6 Automatic 8 ‘Of course, I had not noticed that I played like a ealf. Declarer’s shape, I~ 1~ 4~ 7, was obvious not only from the course of the bidding but also from his line of play. Partner must have a trump trick for us to stand a chance. Ifit isthe ace my play is irrelevant; with the trump king, though, the defence requires more care to fvoid the throw-in. I should have restrained myself from ruffing the heart honour and instead disearded a spade, The final position would have been somewhat different: +39 ¥31096 aK N saga vQ75 WF ag +8 SAQis74s ar +KQs97 652 ‘This time I will ruff whichever top honour West chooses to play. When my partner gets in, he will now be able to lead the suit, in Which dummy holds no top honours, and I get a diamond winner at trick 13, nDo not he a calf. AUTOMATIC 9 What could Ihave done here? Answer: produce a more careful analysis, Here opener was not blessed with discipline, and he misjudged the position, ASNT contract would have been easy to make. Both Vulnerable "Teams woN sg s ie Pass 2¥_ Pass 24 Pass SNT Pass 46 AllPass esT54 va +A 1063 45983 WN] 48 KQios2 IWF) eKQo eA752 ‘Lead ¥4. South wins the queen with the ace and returns the #10. Declarer wins the trick in the dummy, then plays a spade to the ‘queen and cashes the spade ace, partner following with the king. (On the third round of spades T take the #10 with the jack, South discarding the ¥5, What should I do next? Cash the ‘ace of diamonds? I play a club and... 18 Automatic lore comes the full hand: sa764 va + A1063 45983 #AQiogss [_N v8 ods jw aKQe4s *K2 vAJ9T6S +7542 #10 Is there anything to be done? I could have produced an accurate analysis instead of getting angry with my partner for not returning a heart for the rulf, Maybe there was no heart ruff available? Perhaps South saw another defensive possibility, like ruffing a club? That. would ‘mean declarer's shape was 6 - 1~2~ 4. True, partner could have helped me work this out by giving me a count signal in diamonds, ‘But he had so many hearts he did not need... Thad only one good defensive option: cut the communication with the dummy, while I still had a trump left to prevent declarer from iscarding a club loser on a heart honour. The return of a small diamond would have been the killing defence. I could win the #A on the next round to exit with a elub: down one. 0Do not be a calf HELPLESS 1 Contrariness represents the intellectual instinet of self preservation. Do what declarer does not want you to do, After a 2¢ transfer, partner, sitting South, wanted to bid but was afraid. NS Vulnerable ‘Teams woN Bs INT Pass 26 Pasa! av) Pass a¥ All Pass 210975 53 +AQs 4Q864 Nd] +2 ,| yKas742 Bars 45975 The opening lead was the #10 to South's queen and declarer’ tace. A spade ruff is followed by a diamond to the king, partner following with the #10 to signal an odd number of cards in the suit, Feashed the queen of diamonds... and it was too late 80 Helpless 1 Here is the full hand: #10975 v5 +AQs 2Q864 sAg4 No] 42 vAIIO9 vKQs742 ood WE) yrs eae a5975 2KQ863 v6 + 109862 4Ki0 Delarerntended a eitinate spades and diamonds and T should have prevented it Contraines awit in dfence ne oe iisdelaer not pastor whom you are ang to thane Theda ave pled mediately uno the eT a te cont I needed to find my partes withthe club ace doen ‘or the K 10, Nee If don't play a club declarer eliminates spades and diamonds while drawing trumps, then plays the #A and another elub to endplay South, 81HELPLESS 2 Here comes the board: essence of the problem becomes clear...too late! +K2 +865 {Ww El 4aqu74 4Qs5e + AQIT4E trick. A diamond finesse and spade finesse followed, and declarer claimed 11 tricks. 82 88Do not be a calf. ‘The eard layout might be as follows . +762 VAK976 +k 410842 eAKs #1083 Qu5a va #865 #AQaTa 496 aki3 *Q054 vi0s #10932 4Qd5 With this Iayout, ducking the king is the only route to ten tricks. You can see that rising with the diamond king at the second trick would be disastrous if declarer held 10x in diamonds. However, holding 10x and with only one entry to the dummy, every declarer would surely lead the ten at trick two. Otherwise he ‘might block the suit. 4 Helpless 3 HELPLESS 3 Helplessness means being incapable of making a sensible analysis, Declarer’s camouflage presented the opponents with a problem on the following deal Both Vulnerable ‘Teams WON Eos av pass Gv All Pase N_] sAQ107 vAQse WF esa #485 49882 v6 +A 109762 aso ‘The opening lead of the ¥7 was won with the ae followed by a diamond, T ducked. After a moment of hesitation declarer played the king sand returned a small diamond. On the second round of diamonds ‘my partner followed with the queen. I knew that West had the jack and didn't see any reason to overtake partner's queen. After Winning the trick, partner exited with a spade, Declarer discarded two clubs on the queen and ace of spades and claimed 12 tricks, 85Do not be a calt ‘Hore isthe full board *- +A Q107 YK II09853 vAQ42 +Ka4 +85 2Qaz eAs5 1 did not count declarer's tricks: 7 hearts + 2 diamonds (with a ruff) + 2 aces = 11. To set the contract, declarer must have a spade void. Moreover, partner must hold the elub king and ten. I should have overtaken the diamond queen with the ace to return a club, A club discard on the diamond jack is of no significance. Without a club return partner will soon be squeezed in spades and clubs. 86 Helpless 4 HELPLESS 4 ‘The bidding was too primitive. East should have made a transfor to clubs followed by a bid showing spade shortage. Both Vulnerable ‘Teams woN Es INT pass ONT All Pass use worse +95 ate os vise iw El 4932 SAKo542 Leed #K. Declarer follows with the nine, partner signalling an even number of eards, [continue with the queen of spades, which declarer wins and returns a spade. I happily eash my spade tricks, 87Do not be a calf Hore is the full deal *KQI82 v10753 #95 aoe + A109 No] ea vAKo vise sass |W E) yggo #1087 eAK6542 #7653 vQse tK764 495 ‘The club suit was blocked, but by playing om the spade suit 1 helped declarer unblock it. Perhaps to be safe I should exit with a club at trick four? 88 Helpless 5 HELPLESS 5 ‘Your hand moves faster than your brain, Here I made a lead directing bid, EW Vulnerable ‘Teams WON gs. Pass 1s 2% Dal ae 34 Paso SNP Pass de AIDPass a4 vKs5 sAQ74e eK763 2108 vi072 +1109 sAs1085 Load 49, Declarer covers with the king, I win with the ace... and soon alter West claims 10 tricks, I played like a calf. A clever declarer persuaded me to win the trick with the ace, Ducking the club would have promoted my partner's #8.Do not he a calf Here is the deal +06 vAQdO43 455 92 *KQu75a2 [-N] #4 v6 vKs5 oka WE) saqzae 2Qa s_| #ki6a +108 i072 +5109 #As1085 “Badly played hand,” I remarked. “Instead of being sly, it would have heen better to make an accurate analysis, Declarer should have won with the queen and returned a club.” "The defence would then have had a dilemma: 8) If 1 play the #A, West will ruff with the jack (North eannot overrulf sinco he needs to protect his trump tricks), enter dummy with a diamond, and discard a heart on the club king. b) IFT play a small club, declarer will discard a heart, 9 Helpless 5 stil, J should not drag West's name through the muck and mire, ‘The defenders’ hands might have been different: +A9 yAQIOAS +965 292 2K Qu7532 *4 see vK85 Vkss + AQ7ae 3Q4 aKT6S [As the cards lie, the defence can prevail if declarer wins the ‘queen and returns a club. On the third trick I will play the elub fice; North will overruff with the ace and eash the heart ace, A tramp triek is promoted, this time in the South hand. On this layout only declarer’s shrewd line of play gave him a chance to succeed. Instead of criticizing I should control my own reflexes. Better to stay silent and he thought a foo! than open one's mouth and remove all doubt aDo not be a ealt HELPLESS 6 Both Vulnerable ‘Teams woN 8 s_ QNT Pass SNT AllPass or94 vAIO75S #10975 ea *K108 vs62 #Q8a2 ara ‘The opening lead of the ¥5 was covered with the jack by South ‘and won with the quoen. Declarer then played the queen of elubs, partner fllowing with the three. T dutifully exited with a iamond, 92 Helpless 6 ar94 vA10753 #10975 aA 2A76 *K108 vKQ vse +All #Qsa2 a KQs1065 ane ‘West claimed 10 tricks. L wonder: “Should I have played the ace of hearts instead of diamond?” knew who had the king of hearts. (If instead declarer had won the first trick with the king, the location of the queen would not hhave been obvious.) Another argument for cashing the heart ace is that if deelarer's hand had been: *Ag vKQ4 oka #KQs1065 he might have ducked the jack of hearts ‘The associated conclusion is quite amusing. If declarer has three hearte with the king and queen and decides to win the first trick, he should win it with the queen! That is a play only a real beginner or a real expert would find, 98Do not bea calt Hetpless7 HELPLESS 7 Here comes the full hand: +065 Even champions sometimes play “automatically” and muke the ree routine play, not the right one, Loh AKQs1032 [-N]) #4 Both Vulnerable gaKe thioesa Teams te, wel yyi0 nk sQioo7e won oar fe Pass Pass DBI vara An Pass TkQor SARs os tAross2 ‘This she inal poston thio s_] divers = s @ vK9 087 +6542 tours PAQe7 oARs sa2 ve tikes Lea #2 (4 bes Lwin ith the king and ext passively witha : spade. Did I plan my discards? Unfortunately, no. Declarer drew five rounds of trumps, 4 vQu7z +AQ9 aA 95Do not be a calf Dummy pitched a heart on yet another spade, squeezing me in three suits 1a) If T discard the ave of clubs, the queen becomes a winner. b) If I discard a diamond, declarer will play a heart to the ace fand a diamond to the king. The contract will depend on who has the eight of diamonds. ©) TH Tdiscard a heart, West will concede a heart trick, How should I defend? At the second trick I should have returned a heart, which would hhave solved the problem. I could also have played the queen of diamonds, which would have been even better. Why the queen? Ina similar ending as below: a vK9 +654 as 202 N | #- v63 vAI08S +83 WF ag “ 2a o Ag aA | can get rid of a heart. The diamond queen would accomplish three goals: keep control, establish the diamond suit, and prevent declarer from ruffing a diamond in dummy as I have eontrol of the diamonds and ean play trumps at the critical moment. 96 Helpless § HELPLESS 8 Routine may help but is often harmful. Why? Very often it is based on a superficial analysis, and prevents you from really thinking. Aggressive bidding both by the pre-empter and his partner often prevents the pre-empted side from arriving at the best possible contract. EW Vulnerable ‘Teams WN ie Dbl 44 Dbl Pass 4a AllPass sas vd983 eK1042 aK76 Lead #3. Partner wins with the #10 and returns the ¥10, Declarer ducks, and I win the trick with the queen and play a club to force declarer. 7Do not be a calf Here comes the full deal 44986 yKQa +658 #952 sAK1075 N 4Q3 vAG52 vI983 +AQd WE) 4 kioa2 a akK76 +42 v107 +987 #AQI51085 | misdefended the hand, as you will soon see, ‘The play continues. West ruffs a club, enters the dummy with the trump queen and ruffs another club. Next follow the ace and king of spades and three rounds of diamonds, Declater arrives at this end position with the lead in dummy: #98 98 Helpless 8 [Now comes the #10, which exowns the work. iknow declarer's distribution at the second trick: 5—4—8—1. At the third trick I should have played a diamond (preferably the six), [would have the setting tricks in my own hand, regardless of| partner's cards, because declarer’s communications to eliminate the clubs would be eut. The only eondition is for South not to rise with diamond honour should he hold one! If South has a hand like this: s42 v107 +87 sAQs1085 If South plays the diamond queen on the first round declarer will gain an extra entry to the dummy, because he can overtake the jack of diamonds with the king. Sensible defence requires ‘cooperation within the partnership. The concentration and dedication of one player will not help ifthe other plays by rote. 99Do not be a calf HELPLESS 9 Mode preemptive bing i very dymami, fen excessively, grime tne nou er ap ing. he weer is compensated for by ctor the opponents sae she bidding. m etn EW Vulnerable ‘Toams 2v* Doi? 46 Pass Pass All Pass * hearts + 4.in a minor; 4~8 points. East considered his hand too strong for a 2NT bid oka vK52 + AQsins ease *aQur vied +97 aks Lead ¥10. West wins with the jack, cashes the heart with the jack, cashes the heart ace (partner following with the three, signalling club valtes), and plays the «8 lucked in the dummy. I win the trick and exit dutifully with a 100 Here comes the deal: s1098s2 vAd +k 653 +109 Helpless 9 265 ¥Qio9ss +42 2Q492 N lw E oka vK52 +AQus aAd6 sAQa7 vied +97 eks7 I played like a silly calf, West discarded a club on the king of hearts and gave up a spade. Now I eould only force declarer with clubs once. I should have foreseen this and, after winning the first spade trick, returned the king of clubs instead of a small one. aoDo not be a calf ‘This would have been the final position: rQe +42 Qua 21098 NY] ¢ v- “| sacos |W EL ¢kquios + ai6 2a7 oor 4875 After winning the spade ace [ean exit with a club and West will be helpless. 102 Helpless 10 HELPLESS 10 ‘The bidding proceeds in jumps here. Did West fall or was he pushed? Both Vulnerable ‘Teams #410863 va 9 Q542 4943 N *Qazs2 vATS2 WL eKo76 Lead ¥4, Dummy is encouragingly weak. West wins with the ace ‘and ruffs a heart with the club ace. South follows with the king and queen of hearts, indicating spade values. Declarer draws trumps in three rounds, partner following with a heart on the third round, and plays a spade. I duck and after winning the trick with the king of spades South exits with the jack of diamonds. It does not help much, Declarer wins with the ace in his hand and... 108Do not be a calf Here's the full hand: 2 oe N eQs752 v vA Saas fw | TATE ‘West will arrive at this end position: +A 7 +Q5 +9 +85 tk 22 i 29 5 +10 2 North will be squeezed in spades and diamonds, 104 Helpless 10 Could I have avoided this? I was afraid that rising with the aco of spades would drop partner's singleton king. West's hand could have been: 204 v6 +As SAK Qs10se With the hand like this one, West might also have taken a chance at slam, Note, please, that he could not have bid 4NT as Blackwood: in this situation 4NT would show either a two-suited hand with both minors, ora slam invitation with a spade ft. However, I had overlooked one thing: namely, my partner's bidding. If partner held the following cards: oK vKQJ10985 #9103 475 would he have jumped to 4¥? Definitely not. | was also discouraged from rising with the ace of spades because 1 was afraid of leading from my diamond holding, which might have solved declarer's problems in this suit. Even so, T should have played for my only chance, which was to find my partner with the diamond jack-ten. I could even slightly increase my chaneos if declarer held the #10. After rising with the ace of spades I should have played the #5, insinuating a somewhat different card layout.