LEARNING CENTER

2 & 3. There was no reason to ask about 5. No matter what the response to Blackwood is, don't ask the opponents what it means. If you absolutely need to know, you can ask when it is your turn to play.

North would have raised to 4 with a weak hand.

South should not use Blackwood with a side suit like xx or Jxx or Qx -- for fear of losing the ace-king in that suit.

North's bidding was good, and if Larry is asking, I'd better be thinking.

When dummy comes down, you ALWAYS should put on your thinking cap. If you aren't willing to concentrate and put in the effort, then get used to 40% games. What should you be thinking about? We'll soon see.

Play low smoothly. This is what I was trying to get you ready for. In fact, any time you have an ace on defense, you need to be ready to possibly "duck" smoothly.

In this case, it has to be the right play. Are you worried that declarer has a singleton K? Don't worry. Once a year, that might happen, but not this time. If declarer has a singleton K, your partner started with QJ109 -- and surely would have led one instead of the 10 (top of QJ109 is much more attractive). Look at the full deal:

The contract depended on the heart guess. Declarer tried to catch you napping. If you grabbed your A or even thought about it, you are doomed. Once you start thinking, declarer will never guess wrong (you wouldn't be thinking unless you had the ace).

Generally, play second hand low. Once a year, you will go to bed with your ace--and you can blame me.

Click here to play the final Practice Deal, #4.