Drawing Trumps and Taking Your Losers First

Contract Bridge Hands » Drawing Trump

Page 1	North Q J J 8 Q 8 4 3 A J 8 3 2
West		East




	South A K 10 9 7 2 10 7 5 3 K 9 7

"SIDE SUIT SAFETY"

	South	West	North	East
	1	Pass	2	Pass
	2	Pass	2 NT	Pass
	3	Pass	4	All Pass

	South mentions their Hearts in case North has Hearts and no Spades. South's hand is terrible for NoTrump and the Spade game is easily reached. The 6S is led.

Page 2	North Q J J 8 Q 8 4 3 A J 8 3 2	Bid is 4 S
West 6 5 A Q 6 4 2 A 10 7 2 10 6		East 8 4 3 K 9 K J 9 6 5 Q 5 4
	South A K 10 9 7 2 10 7 5 3 K 9 7

PLAY OF THE HAND

The black suits are there for 10 tricks. 6 Spades and 4 Clubs is just the ticket.

1)	West leads the 6S to Dummy's Jack.
2)	The QS draws another round of trump.
3)	A Club is led to Declarer's King.

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Page 3	North J 8 Q 8 4 3 A J 8 3	Bid is 4 S N/S =3 E/W=0
West A Q 6 4 2 A 10 7 2 10		East 8 K 9 K J 9 6 5 Q 5
	South A K 10 9 10 7 5 3 9 7

PLAY OF THE HAND

The hand is right on course. Just take a Club finesse and the little ones will be good.

4)	The last trump is drawn with the Ace.
5)	A Club is led and the Jack finessed.
6)	E/W win the QC and take 3 Heart tricks. Oops.

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Page 4	North Q J J 8 Q 8 4 3 A J 8 3 2	Bid is 4 S
West 6 5 A Q 6 4 2 A 10 7 2 10 6		East 8 4 3 K 9 K J 9 6 5 Q 5 4
	South A K 10 9 7 2 10 7 5 3 K 9 7

REPLAY OF THE HAND

Trumps are the key. Just because you have all the top ones doesn't mean you should play them.

1)	West leads the 6S to Dummy's Jack to start things off.
2)	A Diamond is led from Dummy and ruffed in hand.
3)	The 9C is led to the Jack & East's Queen.

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Page 5	North Q J 8 Q 8 4 A 8 3 2	Bid is 4 S N/S =2 E/W=1
West 6 A Q 6 4 2 A 10 7 10		East 8 4 K 9 K J 9 6 5 4
	South A K 10 9 10 7 5 3 K 7

REPLAY OF THE HAND

Now Declarer has set up the Clubs and things look good.

4)	East cashes the King of Hearts.
5)	East leads a low Heart to West's Queen.

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Page 6	North Q Q 8 4 A 8 3 2	Bid is 4 S N/S =2 E/W=3
West 5 A 6 4 A 10 7 10		East 8 4 K J 9 6 5 4
	South A K 10 9 10 7 K 7

REPLAY OF THE HAND

Now West can't run their Heart tricks since Dummy still has a trump left. Declarer wins any lead, the last trumps are drawn and the Clubs are all good to park your Heart losers on. The key is to take your loser while you still have control of All of the other suits. Don't be so quick to draw trumps. Plan on what can go wrong because it usually does.

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Here are some bids from our NoTrump Flashcards. They're great for trips to the dentist, hair salon, or quick reviews. Just 5 minutes a day will work wonders for your game.

Bidding Ideas	1NT 2 3	1NT 2 4	1NT 2 2	Big Tips
1NT 2 3NT	1NT 2NT P	1NT 2NT 3NT	1NT 2NT 3	1NT 3 P
1NT 3 3NT	1NT 3 4	1NT 3 5	1NT 3 P	1NT 3 4
Checklist	1NT 3 3NT	1NT 4 4	1NT 4NT 6NT	This Index!

Print out a weekly worksheet page and see if you and partner agree on different bids.

10 Titles to choose from. ACBL approved.

Clear up common questions!

Thanks for Playing.

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Drawing Trumps and Taking Your Losers First