September 2022 - 50

Newer Players
Reasoning with Robert
Losers - long suit in dummy
P
reviously, we discussed how
to deal with potential losers
when declaring a suit contract.
We explored our options when
dummy has shortness and when
they have a side suit equal in length
to one in our hand. Now, we look at
how to make use of a long suit in the
dummy, which can often be a " source
of tricks " : A suit that can be used to
discard losers.
Strength and/or length
Dummy
K Q J
Declarer
8
When dummy has a strong holding
in a suit that is longer than our
holding, we can promote high cards
to discard losers. Once we knock out
the ace, dummy's remaining honors
will provide two discards.
Another way is to set up a long suit.
Dummy
A K 9 7 6
Declarer
8 3 2
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50 | Bridge Bulletin | September 2022
Here we have a third-round loser,
but if the suit splits 3-2, after we give
up our one loser, we will set up two
discards.
If this is the layout:
Dummy
A K 9 7 6
Declarer
8 3
then there are other options: You can
cash the A-K and ruff a low card. If
the suit splits 3-3, you now have two
discards. Even if the suit splits 4-2,
you might be able to ruff a fourth
round and set up one discard.
When we have a seven-card fit (say
4-3), then our chances of producing
a discard are fewer - only if the suit
splits 3-3:
Dummy
A K 5 4
Declarer
Q 8 7
But that is not the only chance we
have of this suit producing a discard
for us. It is possible that the opponents
could make a mistake and
discard a card or two in this suit and
the last little card could become an
extra winner that could be used for a
discard.
When the dummy has a suit that
is longer than our suit, we can apply
many of the same techniques we
discussed previously for same-length
side suits - like forcing the opponents
to lead the suit for us (passive declarer
play).
BY ROBERT S. TODD
robert@advinbridge.com
advinbridge.com
Dummy
Q 7 5 2
Declarer
J 6 3
This suit is frozen, meaning whichever
side breaks it gives up a trick. If
we can force the opponents to lead
this suit first, then we can reduce our
likely losers to two and possibly set
up a discard from this suit if it splits
3-3. Eliminating the other suits
first and endplaying an opponent is
another technique that will force an
opponent to do your work for you.
I hope that this article and the
previous two have helped you organize
your thoughts on how to make a
plan for each of your side suits when
declaring a suit contract. To recap:
* When dummy has shortness,
think about using it to ruff losers in
that suit.
* When dummy has a long suit, use
it to produce discards and help get rid
of losers in other suits.
* When dummy has a same-length
suit as your hand, that is when there
are lots of options and things can get
complicated. Often, it's best to avoid
being the side that leads that suit.
http://www.advinbridge.com http://www.acbl.org/bpteacher
September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2022
