Disappearing Tricks

By: Michael Berkowitz

Disappearing Tricks

It will surprise no one that I went through a magic phase. It started with a great uncle who was fond of the “Oh look a quarter” behind the ear trick. I remember being so excited when he pulled a coin from thin air that I starting squealing with joy.
 
I also remember bawling when he made it disappear. I think that may not have been the reaction he intended.
 
The end result was that he quickly made many more quarters appear.
 
Players worry too much about tricks disappearing. Frequently, a trick that looks like it’s disappearing, can come back with interest.
 
You are West.
 
WestNorthEastSouth
   1
Pass2Pass4
All Pass   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vul: None
Dlr: South

DUMMY

K43
♥ 543
♦ KQ86
♣ 943

YOU (WEST)

72
♥ QJ109
♦ A7542
♣ Q5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You lead the Q against 4. Partner follows with the 8 and declarer wins the A.
 
Now declarer leads the 9 towards dummy. What do you do?
 
Too many players panic. Yes, this feels like a singleton. Does that mean you should take your ace?
 
No!
 
If this is a singleton, you are trading one trick (the A for two tricks--the KQ). Look at the full deal:
 
Vul: None
Dlr: South
K43
♥ 543
♦ KQ86
♣ 943
 
72
♥ QJ109
♦ A7542
♣ Q5
  J8
♥ K86
♦ J103
♣ KJ1076
  AQ10965
♥ A72
♦ 9
♣ A82
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It turns out you’re giving up not just 2, but three diamonds since partner holds the J and 10 and dummy’s 8 becomes high. Here, it doesn't matter as long as you cashed your heart tricks, but all you will take are two hearts and a diamond.
 
If you play low, you won't take the diamond trick, but you’ll take two clubs and two hearts.
 
If you go up with the ace, figuring dummy’s diamonds are good anyway, declarer can win once you play a club, draw trump and throw away two club losers to make.
 
Memory is a burden here. We stay up at night remembering times when we didn't take a trick with an ace. We don't tend to stay up at night for having taken the ace too early, but it's a more frequent mistake and often more costly.