Good Splits and Bad Splits

One of the key elements of good declarer play is creating extra winners by developing a long suit. I can't remember the number of times I have said in a class: "I never met a 5-card suit I didn't like." Even a super-weak side suit such as 6 5 4 3 2 has the potential to develop additional tricks in either suit contracts or notrump. Of course, unless partner has a lot of length and strength in this suit, you would very much prefer that you got a good split.

On the other hand, when asked what is the most annoying type of hand to declare, the first thing that comes to mind is "hands where you get a bad split in trump." With an 8-card trump fit, almost 1/3 of the time, an opponent will have at least four trump against you. Therefore, learning how to try to cope with that kind of bad split can allow you to bring home contracts that proved too difficult for others.

For each deal, Marty will explain exactly what you should think about and how you should decide the best way to proceed. This includes:

• - How to overcome a bad trump split
• - The right time to take a safety play
• - When it is more helpful to count winners in a suit contract
• - What you must know about suit combinations
• - How to make a loser disappear
• - How to give yourself an extra chance
• - When should you play differently at matchpoints
• - How to take advantage of clues from the opponents' auction
• - When must you take a deep finesse
• - How YOU can learn to execute a Trump Coup

Here is an example of what Marty will discuss:

Neither Vul  |  Contract: 3NT  | Lead: ♣6

You open 1NT and partner raises to 3NT. After West leads the ♣6, with IMP scoring how should you play 3NT?

SOLUTION

You have 6 immediate winners: 3 spades, 1 diamond, and 2 clubs. You need to establish 3 more winners.

After winning the club lead, you have only one club stopper. You can't afford to lose the lead twice. The question is: Which suit should you lead at trick 2?

If you lead hearts, you can set up two heart tricks. But you don't get rewarded for taking 8 tricks in 3NT.

If diamonds split 2-2, you will have the three extra tricks you need, but that is only a 40% proposition.

Believe it or not, the answer to your heart-diamond dilemma is to play spades! If they divide 3-3, you will have seven immediate winners. You will then lead hearts and claim nine tricks. If spades don't split 3-3, then you'll know that your only chance is to lead diamonds and hope for a 2-2 split.

Testing a suit to learn the correct way to play the hand is referred to as a "discovery play."

By the way: If neither spades nor diamonds divide evenly, you won't make 3NT, but you'll have no regrets. Even if you play the hand perfectly, after the club lead there is no way to make the contract.