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The Dangerous Discard.

While today’s story features discarding to a long suit, the happy end for the defenders would not have happened without the right beginning. So, it is your lead to 3NT:

 

N/S were playing a strong no-trump based system with 1 promising at least 3 clubs. South invited the no trump game and North accepted. What would you lead?

It looks like a choice between the majors. Some days, one might profit from leading the 4-card major but it looks better to lead a spade. Not only do you have more (albeit rather lowly ones) but the A is a certain entry to cash long spades while there is no certain entry to say cash the long heart, if you needed one. So, it seems a good idea to lead 3, 4^th highest.

Let’s follow the play:

 

South won the first trick with A. On some days, South might be wise to duck the opening lead though both major suits worried South. Also, on the actual deal, there was nothing to be gained by ducking.

South played a diamond to dummy’s ace, (presumably) noting your Q. There would have been no story if declarer had played a diamond to 10 at trick 3 (AK, 5 diamonds and AK) but they credited you with perhaps holding QJ doubleton and played a diamond to the K at trick 3.

South was now in trouble though it was not easy for the defence, either. As West, you discarded 3 indicating to your partner that you had some interest in that suit. South had no option but to play a third round of diamonds. Again you discarded a heart. East now played 8 to dummy’s K. South then played their two remaining diamonds.

These cards remained with two diamonds left to play:

On 8, East should discard a heart (Q would be great as that must indicate to you top of a sequence) and you, West, would throw 8. Then comes 7 and you West have a problem. So far, your side has taken just one trick and you can only score one heart trick. Therefore, to have any chance of beating the contract, you have to retain all 3 spades…and that means giving up your club hold.

After a club is thrown from dummy, East also has a problem. They have seen you throw 9 (or maybe 10) and that should issue a big warning not to discard a club. As East should know by now that you, West, holds A, they can safely discard their last spade. A heart discard would work as well but they must retain J63.

South then has a choice of losing options. They could try a heart but you, West, will take the next 4 tricks (A and 3 spades) or play 3 rounds of clubs, the third round being won by East. A and the two remaining spades would then take the last 3 tricks.

Obviously, South could have done better in the play though on some days, their diamond play would be correct. With QJ doubleton, you may have chosen to play Q on the first round.

Even with that misplay, the defence still had to discard accurately and in the case of West live a little dangerously if they wanted to beat the contract.

Had North got to be declarer, as happened at many tables, East would no doubt have led Q which would have led to a declarer making 9 tricks even with a diamond misguess.

keep those spades!

A chance therefore here for the defence to shine as long as they remained positive (West retaining all their spades) and discarded accurately. Defending can be fun…eventually!

Richard Solomon

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