Bridge Column for April 24, 1994 
East-West vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: 6 5              
                              H: K Q 6 4     
                              D: K Q 5       
                              C: Q 10 7 6

                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A J 7
                              H: V o i d    
                              D: A J 10 9 8 7 
                              C: A K J 9
Opening Lead: Club two.
     The contract is six diamonds.  The opponents passed
throughout the auction.  Before going further, place yourself in
the South seat as declarer and decide what line of play you would
adopt to make twelve tricks.
     This hand comes from "Why You Lose At Bridge" by S. J.
Simon.  This book was first published in 1946.  It was unique in
that it did not profess a particular bidding system nor attempt
to teach one how to play the game.  What it did in 1946, and
still does today, is explain to the average player how to think
smarter at the bridge table.  
     Our hand shows up early in the text.  The author is not
concerned with the bidding, and no mention is made of the
possibility of a better contract at six clubs.  The fact is, as
declarer, thinking about alternate contracts can be distracting. 
The problem is to make the contract that you are in.
     So, what line did you select?  The author feels that the
obvious line is to give up a spade and subsequently ruff South's
third spade in dummy for the twelfth trick.  But this line is not
100 per cent safe.  Declarer cannot afford to draw more than one
round of trump before giving up the spade trick.  If he takes two
rounds and finds the trumps divided 3-1, the defender gaining the
lead with the second spade may be able to lead the outstanding
heart, killing the ruff.  If trumps are not drawn, declarer may
find out that the two of clubs is a singleton.
     However, there is an absolutely safe way of playing the
hand, regardless of any distribution, even four trumps in one
hand.  
     Win the first trick in the South hand with the ace of clubs. 
Draw trumps in as many rounds as necessary.  Enter dummy with the
ten of clubs.  Play the king of hearts and throw a spade away,
without regard to whether or not the defense wins the ace.  If
the king loses to the ace, as it should, win any return and enter
dummy with the queen of clubs.  Play the queen of hearts and
throw another spade away.  In the unlikely event that the king is
allowed to win the trick, you should still play the queen of
hearts and discard your last losing spade.  If the defenders 
have not found the ace of hearts by this point, you will wind up
making an over trick. 
     This is an elementary "loser on loser" play.  It has only to
occur to you during the play of the hand.  By helping you
recognize these types of plays, Simon shows you how to win more
(and lose less) using the skills you already possess.
     "Why You Lose At Bridge" was published once again in 1967
and that edition has just been reprinted by Devyn Press, Inc. of
Louisville, KY.  At $9.95 it is an excellent value and will fast
become one of your favorite books.  You can order your copy from
Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies by calling 1-800-274-2221.