The Solution

How to make 7©

 

In this classic problem you have the advantage of seeing all four hands in what is known as "double dummy". This is the sort of bridge problem that is printed on tea towels. See if you can work out how to make 13 tricks. West leads the K§?

	ª A Q 3 © A K Q J ¨ Q J 10 9 8 7 §
ª K J 10 9 8 7 © 5 4 3 2 ¨ § K Q J		ª 6 5 4 2 © ¨ 6 5 4 3 2 § 9 8 3 2
	ª © 10 9 8 7 6 ¨ A K § A 10 7 6 5 4

A diamond from dummy must be discarded on the King of clubs opening lead. If a spade is discarded then the contract cannot be made. A heart is played from hand and won in dummy. A small spade is ruffed in hand and dummy re-entered with a trump. The Queen of spades is ruffed in hand and dummy re-entered with a heart. The remaining trumps are drawn and the Ace of diamonds discarded on the long trump. On the Ace of spades the King of diamonds is discarded. Dummy's diamonds are now run, discarding all the club losers.