LEARNING CENTER

1. Although you are technically in range for 1NT (15-17 balanced), this hand is too strong. It is worth more than 17 (that heart suit is amazing)! This hand is worth more like 18 or 19, so let's start with 1, planning to rebid 2NT.

2NT, 3, or 3NT or 4 are all possible.

This hand is borderline. You could insist on game (in either 3NT or 4).
You could also try for game with 2NT (18-19 balanced, spades stopped) or 3 (looking for help in clubs or a maximum).

Let's say you guess to bid 3 and partner accepts and jumps to 4 as below .

4. A spade, a club and 2 diamonds as shown below.

Win the A. Yes we can reduce our 4 losers to 3.
We can use the spade suit to set up a discard (and get rid of one of our losers).
But, only by winning the A, drawing trump (so that they can't ruff away one of our spades) and returning a spade.

After winning the A, we draw trump (they are 3-2) and play the 10 (which West will take with the jack):

Win the A and play a spade, throwing a diamond. This is the key play (called a "loser on loser" play).

Anything but this will lead to failure. Trumping a spade in our hand does us no good.

You need to realize that there is only one high spade outstanding. You will let them win it and at the same time, establish a good spade on dummy.

Why does it matter what you discard?

Because if you throw a club after winning the A, the defense can win their spade and cash 2 diamonds for down 1. By throwing a diamond as shown, they can cash only one diamond.

Yes. The spade is good and you can throw a club on it. You lost 2 spades and a diamond and made the contract. This was the full deal:

For the next Lesson Deal (Board 3) click here.