Hand of the week - 24th May 2026

19^th May Board 8

 When you were taught to play Bridge you were told an opening hand at one level should be 11+hcp, but that was only a guide, sometimes hands are too good to be opened a weak two and should be opened at one level with less than 11hcp. Today’s hand is such a hand.

W passes.

N holding

S. AQT6

H  QJT653

D. 3

C. 52

This hand should be revalued and checked for losing tricks. The revaluation would show 13 points and 6 losing tricks. N should open 1H.

E with opening hand should X.

S with 11hcp and holding 3H does not know if Hs are 4 or 5 cards but holding 4C should bid 2C, showing partner 10+hcp.

W can get into the bidding as they have the two unbid suits, so should bid 2S with 5 cards.

N is not unhappy with the S bid as they hold AQT and are over anything W can play so they bid 3H.

E is no longer in the bidding as they don’t open a new suit at 3 level and opponents bidding shows 22+hcp.

S can now safely bid 4H.

Makeables show 6Hs are possible, not all pairs in 4Hs made 6 some only made 3.

Lead will come E and they will play highest card of partner’s bid suit, 9S. Once dummy goes down what do you know. Firstly W has 5 Ss which were not supported by E, so E probably has 2 or 1 S and the minors. You are missing 4 Kings so finesses will be in order, you know W has KS, so remaining Ks will be in E hand.

W must play KS which N wins with Ace. Time to draw Trumps, lead 10H if K does not come out, duck and then play JH, again KH does not appear and it is only Trump still out so play, 5C towards dummy and finesse. Now play AH and K drops. Play last S in dummy and just cover whatever W plays and then play top S discarding D in dummy, Lead 2C back to dummy and play QC and then play AC discarding 6S. In your hand you now have 3Hs and a losing D. Making 6Hs.