Reducing Losers to make your Contract

Bd 22 posed headaches for West playing in 4H (no bidding interference).

Assume 10D lead from North.

You see their problem, there are 5 possible losers; 2 C's, 1 D, 1H, 1S.

Its no wonder 4 out of 5 Wests went down. One West got a helping lead.

Where do you start with a plan ?

You must remain optimistic. Assume all finesses work, trumps break nicely, opponents do not have shortage and trump in.

As West, only until otherwise proven, make yourself a plan as if; KS is onside, QH is finessable, somehow dispose of one of East little diamonds so as to ruff the 9 and 4 of diamonds, QC is onside. This way 12 tricks can be made, losing only to the AC. If all 4 assumptions fail, you will make only 8 tricks.

This is one of a few hands where it is not important to attack trumps early. Why ?

Losers reduce by one, with each assumption proving correct.

Have a look at all 4 hands on Compass Mate and see how many of these assumptions proved correct.

Identifying losers and setting a plan to minimize them, is crucial to attaining otpimum contracts. Sometimes luck is on our side. Isn't this game fascinating !!