The Forcing Game.
When an opponent is trying to draw your spades, one way to thwart his nefarious plan is to force him to ruff. West believed he was looking at a 9-trick hand, perhaps even 10 if partner showed up with a spade honor. Nevertheless he bid a crafty 6, hoping to lull the opponents. South made his normal opening lead, the diamond king. West ruffed (North signaling with the seven) and immediately started the spades, South's king winning the trick. West's plan was clear; South countered by leading the queen of diamonds.Again West ruffed and continued spades. South was in with the ace, leaving West, North, and South with one spade apiece. Now a third round of diamonds was the killer; West did the best he could by discarding a heart, hoping for a switch, but North overtook and continued diamonds. West ruffed with his last spade but his side could do no better than take two hearts and two clubs. Together with his three spade tricks, that was not enough. West could not believe he went set on the hand. Give full credit to North and South for pushing diamonds; a switch at any time allows East-West to take 11 tricks, a four-trick difference. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 6 5
9 7
A J 9 7 2
10 9 8
