Beginners Class

Pages: Page 3 of 4

Dealer: South
Vuln: E-W
Scoring: IMPs
  1. spadeA K J 9 2
  2. heartA Q 2
  3. diamondA
  4. clubJ 10 8 7
Green square in centre

Contract: 7club
Declarer: South
Lead: club3
  1. spade7 5
  2. heart4
  3. diamondQ J 10 9 2
  4. clubA K Q 9 6
West North East South
1diamond
Pass 1spade Pass 2club
Pass 2heart* Pass 3club
Pass 4NT~ Pass 5spade#
Pass 7club End

* fourth suit forcing
~ RKCB
# 2 (of 5) + club queen

Every bridge teacher tells their pupils to lead a trump against grand slams. Occasionally a trump will be the only lead to give declarer thirteen tricks, but in fact many, many more grands have been gifted to declarer by not leading a trump.

Most beginners have a natural affinity for a cross-ruff and on this hand, given the strength of the combined trump holding, even the occasional beginner declarer might make thirteen tricks on a non trump lead. They rapidly win a few aces and the odd king and start pausing about trick five. Then they start ruffing in both hands and miraculously they've made the grand. But no, our star West has been reading, and he leads a trump. How do you play? Well, let's ask Mr. Mahmood.
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