BRIDGE

Second Hand plays Low? Always?

A recurring question that has vexed players since the days of whist (one of bridge’s forerunners where the guideline originated) and for which there can be no absolute best answer for all situations.

My explanation to advancing students (who mostly like to just take tricks whenever and however they can) is to simply play low as Second Hand unless you can see a compelling reason to do otherwise.

South’s unsupported leap to the heart game was a bit forward but the form of contest was a team match (Canadian Open Teams) where the form of scoring places great emphasis on bidding (and making!) vulnerable games.

South’s thinking was reasonable: he had near opening bid values of his own and a heart suit that didn’t need much support and his partner had after all opened the bidding.

West had a ready-made opening lead in the king of clubs that South captured to cross to a high diamond to dump one of his remaining clubs on the second high diamond.

Next, dummy’s low heart was led towards the closed hand for what was to prove to be East’s moment of truth.

Second Hand Low by East and declarer might well guess wrong by letting that eight ride as a finesse against a possible ten with the defender on his right.

But East jumped right in with the King and the rest was mere mopping up.

Did East have a “compelling reason” for not playing low? He was always going to get his two trump tricks no matter what and there was no obvious rush to play a club or spade.

Hmm!