Bridge - The Scotsman 06/06/2012

Discarding is the area of defence where defenders most often err. If you cling vaguely to high cards without making the effort to visualise the hidden hands, you will let through many an unmakeable contract.

On this deal South’s 1NT rebid showed 15-17 points, and North raised to game. West led the jack of diamonds, top of an interior sequence, East won the king and the defenders cashed four diamond tricks. With four tricks in the bag East could afford to throw a club on the fourth diamond – a spade might help declarer pick up an honour in partner’s hand. West switched to a club for the jack and ace, and declarer cashed four spade tricks, forcing East to make two more discards from his four hearts and his two remaining clubs. What should he throw?

Consider declarer’s hand. He has produced king-queen of spades, ace of clubs and queen of diamonds, 11 points. The only missing high cards are the king of clubs and the ace of hearts – and declarer must have the latter card to bring his total to 15. What of his distribution? He has three spades and three diamonds, and at least four hearts since he bid the suit. Finally, count his tricks. He has made one club and four spades, and the ace of hearts gives him three heart tricks. If East throws a heart declarer will make four hearts and his game. Only East can guard the fourth round of hearts: he must keep all his hearts and throw clubs.