Gordon had just presented Frieda with a book on declarer play and they were seated on Gordon’s settee reading the chapter entitled “Throw-ins and end plays”. Puzzled she said “I don’t understand how anything interesting can be learnt about a hand that you throw in, Gordon”.
Gordon, who had read a little further was able to enlighten her. “‘Throw- in’ means to present your opponent with the lead at such a point that anything they lead will be to your advantage, Frieda”.
Frieda sniffed: “Is that all? They should have said so. Remember that hand I played last week?” Frieda, South, had played in 2♥ and the lead had been the ♦K.
| ♠T64 ♥K543 ♦542 ♣J43 | ||
| ♠AJ ♥T9 ♦KQJT ♣Q9876 | ♠KQ532 ♥86 ♦9876 ♣T5 | |
| ♠987 ♥AQJ72 ♦A3 ♣AK2 |
There appeared to be 8 tricks with no chance of a ninth. But Frieda was inspired. She ducked the first diamond and took the second. Then she drew trumps ending in dummy, ruffed her last diamond, and exited with a spade, won by West with the Jack. This was the position with West on lead.
| ♠T6 ♥54 ♦— ♣J43 | ||
| ♠A ♥— ♦J ♣Q9876 | ♠KQ53 ♥— ♦9 ♣T5 | |
| ♠98 ♥QJ ♦— ♣AK2 |
Unwilling to give a ruff and discard by leading a diamond, and unwilling to play the bare ♠A, West played a club. This allowed Frieda to make her ♣J. She then played two further rounds of clubs and again exited with a spade. Poor West was again thrown in, and now forced to lead a diamond or club, and Frieda got her ruff and discard. So she actually made 10 tricks which gave them a top board.
What is the best defence for East-West? It is not easy to find it at the table. When Frieda exits the first time with a spade, West must play the Ace! Then West plays the ♠J, East cashes two spades and plays a club. There is then no way to come to more than 8 tricks.
Bridge Romances 
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