Open your longest minor 1C, partner responds 1D jump to 3D to show 16-18 points and 4+ card diamond support, partner bids hearts looking for a NoTrump contract but you don't have enough good spades, you insist (or save partner) by bidding 5D
Acol Bidding
Open your longest minor 1C, partner responds 1D jump to 3D to show 16-18 points and 4+ card diamond support, partner bids hearts looking for a NoTrump contract but you don't have enough good spades, you insist (or save partner) by bidding 5D
Plan Before You Play
Count your losers -none in spades -none in hearts - 1 in diamonds and 2 in clubs. Unless you can do something to reduce a loser this contract is light. A pretend finesse but actually playing the AD maximises your chances of making this contract. You cannot discard Norths losing clubs and retain trumps to ruff a club
The Play
AC lead thankfully it is a singleton. East switches to spades, you win. Lead out the JD to finesse East puts up the KD planning to cover JD with the AD just in case west has a singleton, but east plays KD. Another round of trumps. Ruff the losing spade, conceded the KC and the rest of the tricks are yours.
Comment
You and partner don't have enough points to be in 5D, remember you need 27, but in this situation bidding game pays off. With nine cards in a suit and the queen missing you would play for the drop but with the King missing finesse to try to flush out the KD if east holds it,
The above commentary is intended as a guideline only. As with any Bridge hand there are many ways to bid and play any hand.
