HSP: Candle In The Window

"When I'm your partner, the secret to this game is to Help Stupid Partner." -- Steve B.

	♠ Q 9 7 6 ♥ Q J ♦ 7 5 4 ♣ A K 10 4
♠ A K 4 ♥ K 10 7 6 2 ♦ 8 2 ♣ 8 6 5	N W E S

You	North	Partner	South
			Pass
Pass	1 ♣	Pass	1 NT
All pass

(Standard leads and carding) You led the ♥ 6, fourth-best, catching partner with the ace. She returned the ♥ 4 to your king. Declarer played the ♥ 3 and then the ♥ 8. This is going well!

Pop Quiz: How many hearts did partner start with? What about declarer?

ANSWER: Partner had either 2 or 4 hearts initially. When partner returned the ♥ 4, that is her lowest heart (you can see the 2 and the 3). If she only had two hearts, she wouldn't have a choice. But if she started with four hearts, she would return her original fourth-best heart. With three hearts initially, she would return the second-highest (the nine or the five, in this case).

Either two or four? Can you be more specific?

ANSWER: Probably four. Remember the auction? Declarer had the opportunity to bid a four-card heart suit, but did not. Would declarer bid four hearts to the nine-eight? Maybe, maybe not. If declarer had four hearts, how likely is that she would specifically play the three and then the eight? A cagey declarer just might try that. But that declarer might also have tried the five and then the nine, or some other combination.

So partner almost certainly has ♥ 9 5 remaining. If you cash the ten, partner's nine will win the next heart trick and she'll have to figure how to get back to your hand. If you lead low to partner's nine... What if declarer fooled you with her bidding and play? Oh no, what if partner made a mistake, and held only  ♥ A 5 3 to start with? Declarer would be delighted to score her ♥ 9!

So, now what? High heart? Low heart? Something else?

ANSWER: Put a candle in the window for partner. Play the ♠ K! Even if you normally lead ace from ace-king, don't lead the ace here. When the king holds the trick, it will be crystal-clear to partner that you also have the ace. With the queen in dummy, declarer would certainly capture your king if she had the ace. Once you play the ♠ K, partner will know the way back to your hand. Leading low to partner's nine should normally work out okay, but you will be very embarrassed if it doesn't.😢

Why play the ♠ K right now, instead of after the ♥ 10?

Three reasons:

1. If partner did only have two hearts, she will have to discard on the ♥ 10. Knowing that you have the ace of spades might help her choose her discards more accurately.
2. When you know how the defense should proceed, tell your partner too, so she can make better decisions.
3. (The third reason is worth an entire post of its own.)

-- Ray 

Better Bridge in 5 Minutes. Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)