DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

The best way for some people to improve themselves may be to write their memoirs. But the only way to improve your bridge is to cut down on basic errors.

South took the ace of spades--East played the five to discourage--and let the nine of trumps ride. When West won, he shifted to a club, and East took the jack and ace and exited with a spade. South later tried to drop the king of diamonds, knowing East had the king, but the result was down one.

Avoidance

Since East had opened the bidding, South thought the trump finesse would work. He should instead apply the basic idea of “avoidance”: keeping West out of the lead, since only a club shift through dummy can hurt.

South wins the first spade with the king, cashes the ace of trumps and finesses in diamonds. If East wins, South doesn’t mind. East returns a spade to the ace, and South then runs the diamonds. Since he can pitch two clubs before West can ruff to lead a club, South loses one club, a diamond and a trump.

*

East dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

A 9

(Heart) 9 8 5 4

* A Q J 9 5

K 7

WEST EAST 8 4 3 2 Q J 10 7 5 (Heart) K 3 (Heart) 7 7 3 2 K 8 4 9 6 5 2 A Q J 8 SOUTH

K 6

(Heart) A Q J 10 6 2

* 10 6

10 4 3

*

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH 1 2 (Heart) Pass 4 (Heart) All Pass Opening lead-- 2