Bridge Ace The Nicest Club
in Town
 
ACBL logo (small)815 NE 15th Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 304-3191
 
  At Bridge Ace we KNOW bridge!
Hand of the Week
Good Luck at the Tournament 
Gold Bar
I'd like to wish all of our players who are playing in the July 4th Regional the very best of luck. May you return with bushels of gold points!
Free Bridge Lessons 
Blackboard
Rich answers your questions every Tuesday at 11:15.
 
On Thursdays, Bridge Ace features a vugraph presentation where Rich goes over any interesting hands from that week. The board is projected on our large projection screen for all to see as we're discussing it.
Directions to Bridge Ace
From I-95: Exit at Sunrise Blvd. East. Continue east on Sunrise Blvd. 2.1 miles. Turn right on NE 15th Ave. (immediately after the Shell station). Proceed past the stop sign. St. Demetrios will be on your right.
 
From the Beach: From A-1-A, head west on Sunrise Blvd. 2.4 miles. Turn left on NE 15th Ave. Proceed past the stop sign. St. Demetrios will be on your right. 
 
Quick Links
Greetings!
Intermediate Play of the Hand Problem
   
Contract: 3NT
Dummy
 9 7 5
 K Q 3
 Q 6 4
 A 10 9 4
West
 ?
 ?
 ?
 ?
East
 ?
 ?
 ?
 ?
Declarer
 K Q J
 A J 5
 A J 8 3 2
 K 5
 
Interestingly enough, this board was played five times in various notrump contracts, from 3NT to 6NT, and nobody made six. Proper technique would take twelve tricks.
 
After the ♥4 lead, where and why did all five declarers go wrong?

To see the answer, scroll down.
No Lunch this Saturday
Due to the July 4th Regional, Saturday's Gourmet Lunch has been cancelled for this week only.

Billy will serve a five foot long New York Italian Deli style hero next Saturday.

The Saturday games have really picked up since we started the gourmet lunches. We run a Barometer game that day as well. You should give it a try!
Play of the Hand Answer
     
Contract: 3NT
Dummy
 9 7 5
 K Q 3
 Q 6 4
 A 10 9 4
West
 A 8 4
 10 8 7 4
 10 9 5
 Q J 7
East
 10 6 3 2
 9 6 2
 K 7
 8 6 3 2
Declarer
 K Q J
 A J 5
 A J 8 3 2
 K 5
 
The key to the hand is the diamond suit. This is a familiar suit combination that is often misplayed.
 
The average player starts by leading the ♦Q for a finesse against the ♦K. This cannot be right unless declarer holds the ♦10 (or ♦9, in some cases) as well as the ♦J.
 
When the ♦K is onside, the ♦Q will be covered, which will promote the defense's ♦10 to a winner. The way to take all five diamond tricks is to lead low to the ♦J and cash the ♦A, hoping the ♦K is doubleton, as it is here. 
 
Remember this the next time you see this common suit combination!
Cheers,
 Rich signature