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Watch Those Spots
This article is adapted, with permission, from Joe Andrews' book: The Complete Win at Spades, published March 2000.
This delightful hand is part of the Trump Management theme of the game.
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North
10 4
A Q J
10 8 6 4 3
7 6 3
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West
8
K 10 9 3
A K Q 5
A K Q 2
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East
K J 9 3
6 5 2
J 9 7
J 10 8
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South
A Q 7 6 5 2
8 7 4
2
9 5 4
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The Score is North/South 442, East/West 446.
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East
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South
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West
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North
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2
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4
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4
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2
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Whoever said that little cards are useless? The management of the "spot" cards in the trump suit by the North/South team is a joy to behold! These plays are the signature of great partnerships. Once again it was another tight battle, as both sides were within range of victory. East opened with a two, as he expected to take two trump tricks. South, with a long, and somewhat decent Spade suit of his own, inserted a bid of four. West had incredible strength in the minor suits, and bid four as well -- with the idea of going for the win (60 points was sufficient). Now North was put to the test. If the Heart finesse worked, two tricks would cash; however, a bid of three was much too risky! However, if N/S MADE their six bid and SET the opponents, that would be great! The latter was a bit more logical, but required a lot of ingenuity and a bit of good fortune.
East led his Club Eight, and the battle began. South ducked, and West won the Queen. Clubs were continued, and West cashed his Ace and King, as everyone was forced to follow. The tempting (but unsound) lead of the last Club was eschewed, and West shifted to the Diamond King, as low cards were discarded. The Ace of Diamonds came next, and two more low spots followed, as South ruffed with the Spade Two. West sighed disappointment. Still, his side had four tricks in the bank, and his partner had bid two. There was also a chance for his Heart King to win.
South, now on lead, pondered the possibilities. More information was needed, and the Heart suit was unexplored; thus the Heart Four was led. West hesitated momentarily, and inserted his Ten. North now took stock of the situation. Surely his partner's bid was based on a long trump suit. If said Spade suit was rock-solid, then South would have bid five or six. What justified East's bid? It was not the minor suits, as West had shown great strength in Clubs and Diamonds. West had also "hitched" (hesitated) on the first heart lead, most likely showing the King. Thus, East probably had some Spade length, and a few trump honors as well. Therefore a Spade lead would prove very helpful for partner. The immediate concern was the Heart suit, and the Jack was finessed -- fortunately holding the trick as expected. Now the Spade Ten came from North's hand -- a very critical card indeed! East quickly covered with the Jack. South played the Queen, and noted with great pleasure the fall of the Eight spot from West. This seemingly insignificant detail decided the outcome of the hand.
The Heart Seven was now trotted out, and West played low, as North repeated the finesse -- winning the Queen. The Spade Four was led, and East brilliantly and smoothly played the Three. South countered magnificently with the Seven -- a wonderful read of the spots -- based on the previous fall of the Eight. If West won this trick with the Nine -- assuming he held this card -- that would leave the King singleton, and a very easy drop under the Ace (when South regained the lead). This very advanced technique is called the "safety" play, and is seen quite often in the game of Bridge.
West discarded a low diamond, as the Spade Seven won the trick. The Ace of trump was now cashed, felling the Nine and establishing the King as the master trump. Another Heart was led, as North took the Ace. East would win his trump King, but that was only the fifth trick for his side, and the set was completed. The game was over, and North/South had earned a wonderful win!
Advanced players make these maneuvers seem so routine; however, average and intermediate players can apply similar techniques if they are willing to practice and work together as a team.
- Joe Andrews
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