7
The Oldest Maxim
North and South start with four sure tricks, the
♠
A-K and
♥
A-K. Declarer needs to promote fve more winners to make
the contract. Declarer can promote three tricks in diamonds by
driving out the
♦
A, and three tricks in clubs by driving out the
♣
A.
West has the advantage of the opening lead, and starts by
leading the
♠
7. Declarer wins the frst spade trick and plays a
diamond. East wins the
♦
A. Now East leads a spade, driving out
declarer’s remaining high spade. Declarer still has only seven
tricks. When declarer tries to promote winners in the club
suit, West can win the
♣
A and take the three promoted spade
winners to defeat the contract.
There are several important points to note about this example.
When East gained the lead with the
♦
A, East had to
return
partner’s suit
by leading a spade.
This is usually a good idea. East
would have preferred that partner led a heart originally. However,
once a spade is led, it is too late on this deal to change direction in
midstream. If East had switched to a heart after winning the
♦
A,
declarer would win and drive out the
♣
A. Now declarer would
fnish with ten tricks instead of eight. The defenders have to work
together to defeat the contract.
This hand illustrates the advantage of the opening lead.
East-West can promote spades more quickly than North-South
can promote their diamond and club winners. If declarer were
able to lead frst, declarer could start by driving out East’s
♦
A.
Whether East now led a heart or a spade, declarer would win
the race. Declarer would win and drive out West’s
♣
A. Now
declarer would have ten winners to take no matter what the
defenders lead next.