Bridge Tip 2

South as dealer opens the bidding with 1§ and West overcalls 1ª with North cue bidding 2ª to show a good raise to 3§. South decides that 3NT is likely to be the only making game so bids it. West makes the natural lead of Kª.

The rule of "7" tells declarer to refrain from winning with his Ace of spades until the second round. Declarer can see eight tricks off the top so needs just one more to make his contract. The obvious source of an extra trick is the club suit. After winning the second round of spades declarer finesses the 10§ into the safe East hand. This loses to the J§ but now declarer can make three club tricks. Note that if declarer does not hold up on the first round of spades he will go off by one trick. Similarly if he cashes Ace and King of clubs he will go off as he will have created an entry for West's long spades.

What is the rule of "7"?

The rule of "7" is used as follows: count the number of cards that you have in the suit under threat. If the number is 7 or greater win straight away. If the number is fewer than 7 then subtract this number from 7 and hold up (that is refrain from winning) for that number of times. In the example above declarer and dummy had six cards in spades so should hold up until the second round of the suit to exhaust East of spades so that he is unable to return one when on lead with the Jack of clubs. If you have too few cards to enable you to hold up for the recommended number of rounds then you cannot use the rule. Like all rules you have to use some common sense. If there is another suit which poses a greater threat then it may be sensible to ignore the rule of "7".