Andrew's Tip
week 25

If one opponent plays a critical card in a suit, his partner is twice as likely to have the adjacent card in the same suit. This is because of the Principle of Restricted Choice (“PRC”) - a mathematical theory that was found to have relevance at the bridge table by Terence Reese. He first expounded the theory in his epic book “The Expert Game”, written in 1958 - an inspirational read for any ambitious player.

South Deals
N-S Vul		 ♠ A 10 5 3 2
♥ A Q 3
♦ A Q 3
♣ K Q
♠ Q 9 8
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ 8 4 2
♣ 9 7 5
N
W E
S
♠ J
♥ 5 4 2
♦ 10 9 6 5
♣ 10 8 4 3 2
♠ K 7 6 4
♥ K J 7
♦ K J 7
♣ A J 6
West North East South
1 ♠
Pass 4 N Pass 5 ♦
Pass 5 N Pass 6 ♠
Pass 7 ♠ Pass Pass
Pass
7 ♠ by South

North used the Blackwood convention (4NT) to ask for aces, and when his partner’s 5♦ response (one ace) revealed that all aces were present, he bid 5NT to ask for kings. South’s 6♠ response indicated possession of the three missing kings so North bid the Grand Slam.

West’s ♥10 lead ran to declarer’s ♥J and declarer cashed ♠K. East’s ♠J fell and declarer used PRC to deduce that West was now twice as likely to hold the adjacent card - ♠Q. Thus when he followed by leading ♠4 and West played ♠9, he crossed his fingers and inserted ♠10. East discarded a ♣ so he breathed a sigh of relief, cashed ♠A felling West’s ♠Q, and claimed his Grand Slam.

ANDREW’S TIP: When one opponent plays a critical card in a suit, play his partner to have the adjacent card in the same suit.

Andrew Robson Bridge Club 31, Parsons Green Lane, London, SW6 4HH.
Tel: 0207 471 4626   Email: nick@arobson.co.uk