Bridge
24 May, 2026
Keeping control of trumps
Once in a while, you find yourself in a contract with an 8-card trump fit but few top cards in the suit.
Once in a while, you find yourself in a contract with an 8-card trump fit but few top cards in the suit. Then, even if you have plenty of high card points or a source of tricks outside, keeping control of the trump suit becomes a critical issue. That was certainly the case on this deal:
South opened 1❤️and North responded 2♣️. East overcalled 2♠️ and South, with a minimum hand, passed this around to North, who bid 2NT hoping that South might have a stopper or stoppers in the diamond suit. However, East rebid 3♦️ and when South passed, West corrected to 3♠️. At this point North decided enough was enough and bid 4❤️.
West led ♠️10, which was covered by the jack and queen. South ruffed. As declarer, what would you do now?
It appears you have 7 tricks outside trumps (if clubs do break 4-0 the long clubs will be with West as East has bid two other suits) as well as 2 tricks in trumps already. However, you don't just need another ruff in hand, you have to ensure your club tricks aren't ruffed by the opponents, so you need to find trumps 3-2. To keep control, at trick 2 you should play a small heart from hand.
West wins with ❤️J and returns another spade. Of necessity, you ruff in hand again. Now you cash ❤️A – both follow, thank goodness – and with just one trump remaining in each hand, you start on the clubs. It immediately becomes clear that West does indeed have four to the jack, but you can return to hand with a top diamond to run ♣️10. West will win ❤️K eventually, but you will make your contract!
When you have trump length but no top honours other than the ace, it's often a good idea to first duck a round of trumps.
Rakesh Kumar
The Southern Highlands Bridge Club runs three duplicate sessions every week (Mon 1:00 pm, Wed 6:30 pm, Sat 1:00 pm) at the East Bowral Community Centre. Highlands players and visitors welcome!
For more information: https://shbc.bridgeaustralia.org
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