By Val Rhead
Does the term “danger hand” conjure up such evil images as dragons, devils and massive boa constrictors? It should! That’s what competing against a danger hand in bridge often feels like.
What is a danger hand? The danger hand can belong to either opponent depending on the circumstances. If you’re playing No Trump, and a long suit in the opponent’s hand easily can be established, this would be a danger hand. If he can establish that suit and has another entry, he can run off three or four tricks, and you are down, down, down. If you’re playing either No Trump or a Suit and you have a hand with some points, and the hand on your left is strong, watch out! It is not the danger hand! The hand on your right is the danger hand because, every time he gets in, he can lead through your tenaces and rack up tricks.
How do you recognize that you are playing against a danger hand? Often, the bidding is a clue. Sometimes, however, as you play the hand, you discover that a suit is split badly and you are dealing with a danger hand. Perhaps, your opponents’ Heart suit is split unevenly (let’s say 7-2), and you don’t have extra Spade trump. They may be able to institute a power play with their Hearts and use up all your trump, or take a lot of Heart tricks, before you can make your contract. If you don’t correctly assess the situation in time, they can get in and dash your hopes of making your contract. The hand with the long Hearts is the danger hand in this case and you have to keep that opponent off lead as much as possible.
How do you protect yourself if you find yourself up against a danger hand. If you have options for how to develop the tricks you need to make your contract, you should select the option that, should it fail, will not leave the danger hand on lead. For example, you have the potential of developing tricks in Hearts or Diamonds. If you finesse Diamonds and it fails, the danger hand will be on lead. If the Heart finesse fails, the danger hand is not on lead. Therefore pick the Heart suit to develop. Sometimes making this choice, can mean forsaking a potential overtrick, but it may make the difference between making your contract and going down two, perhaps doubled and vulnerable.
Combatting the challenge posed by a danger hand can be easier said than done, but being aware of the problem can help you overcome it. Always be on the lookout for a danger hand, and try to keep it out of the lead. Sometimes, you don’t have a safe choice and you must take a chance. In this case, all you can do is make the finesse you need to do and pray. But, whatever you do, try to play as safely as possible!
Happy New Year to all of Muskoka’s bridge players! May all your slams in 2017 be Grand.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Huntsville Club are now Tuesday 1pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Susan Marshall 705 787-5454 or email [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: Every Tuesday for the rest of the winter, the game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, you also may enter from the door on Main Street.
REMINDER: The Winter Season Jan-Feb-Mar afternoon game schedule of 1pm begins Tuesday, Jan 3. The game was cancelled Dec 27.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Dec 20 with 6 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 2/3. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2/3. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 4. Liz Barnes and Rod Dixon; 5. Bev Howard and Gail Lederer; 6. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time.
PLEASE NOTE: Games were cancelled Dec 19 and Dec 26 but resume Jan 2.
The following winners are from Monday, Dec 12 with 9 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Bev Parlett and Deanna Foell; 4. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 5. Jane Insley and Mary Martyn; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Art Insley and Don Evans; 3. Joanne Garvey and Kelly Andresen; 4. Ann Cassie and Bruce Cassie; 5. Gail Lederer and Hazel Bowes
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