MSO World: Bridge Articles

The book strongly emphasises the benefits of discussing the hands in a post mortem with (hopefully) your friends. In this fashion, the players learn far more from the boards than they ever would by playing alone. I am with the authors in believing that this is the best way to improve your game.

See if you would have profited from discussing the following deal:

Q J

J 7 6 3 2

A K 6 5 2

Q 10 8 7

	N
W		E
	S

4 2

7 6 2

10 9 8 5 3

A K Q 4

10 8 5

Q 9

J 7 4

A K J 9 5 3

A K 4

10 8 3

Our declarer played in four spades. He describes how he had to lose two trump tricks a club and a diamond, which seems reasonable enough at first glance. He assumes that his team lost a 'swing' because the other pair reached 3NT.

The discussion now continues:

"No, they were in four spades against us as well." "But there are four top losers, aren't there?" "No, there aren't. We can't even stop the overtrick." "You'll have to explain." "I led a top diamond and switched to a heart. Declarer won in dummy and ruffed a diamond. He cashed the ace of hearts and ruffed his winning king of hearts. He cashed the ace of clubs, ruffed another diamond, played a club to the king and ruffed a third diamond."

This was the ending:

6 5 2

Q 10 8 7

	N
W		E
	S

4 2

A K J

"He now played his losing club and I had no option but to ruff and lead a trump into his tenace."