7. Safety play illusion

West Deals
Game All

7 4 2

5 4

A K Q J 5 4

4 2

9 8

Q 10 9

10 9 8 7 6   

K 10 9

Q J 10 5 3

K 8 7 2

-

Q 8 7 6

 

A K 6

A J 6 3

3 2

A J 5 3


Playing Pairs, South found herself in 3NT after North had opened with a Weak 2. West led the Ten of Diamonds which declarer won with the Ace, so one down. Should he have ducked that diamond, so guaranteeing the contract? Well, in teams or at Rubber Bridge, yes. But in pairs, the chances of a 5-0 break are two and half times in a hundred. On all the other ninety-seven and a half times, the diamonds will break and declarer will make an over-trick, so the safety play is an illusion.