Bridge

WE have looked at the advantages of covering an honour with an honour. But we should not use a maxim as a substitute for thought.

South opened 1NT. North's 4-3-3-3 distribution suggests that 3NT is as good a spot as any, but he chose to use Stayman anyway. This persuaded West to lead a diamond rather than a spade. East took the king and switched to a heart.

Declarer had four Sure Tricks, three hearts and a spade. The diamond lead was ominous: if West had four diamonds, that suit could not be established in time. It would be easy enough to make two club tricks, but he needed tricks from spades. So he led the ten. West, a studious player, covered with the king. Declarer won the ace and played two rounds of clubs. When East took his ace declarer claimed nine tricks with four spades, three hearts and two clubs.

West overlooked the unwritten part of the adage – "if doing so may promote a trick for your side". Covering the ten of spades could not create winners for the defence, only for declarer. If West plays low the ten scores, and declarer continues by leading the seven to the jack. But he cannot take a third finesse when he has only two spades: West's king stops him making more than three spade tricks. Even if declarer has a third spade he must return to hand for the third finesse, which may weaken his hand in some way. Do not cover when covering can achieve nothing.