4-4 fit, with a hidden 6-card outside suit: a very playable hand pattern
Think about partner’s shape, based on all information proffered
10♦ becomes key-card in attempt to bring home thin game
You must be ready to make unusual key play; prepare to exude disinterest
Overcall unnecessary; subsequent bid positively harmful
System and instinct work together to lead to optimum contract
Careful side-suit establishment paramount to success
No-risk avoidance play is the secret to bringing home 3NT
Opponent’s two-suited overcall provides information to alert declarer
Defender must take time to deduce, and count, before playing key card
Try to put yourself in defender’s position, and question reasons for action
Poor trump break leaves door open for defender to scupper contract
Hand patterns reveal position of trump length
Discard inevitable losers to protect trump holding
Use distributional values to judge level for your bids
Analyse defence’s plan to locate weakest point
Exchange a winner for a loser, and then vice versa
Bidding information encouraging, but must be successfully exploited
Control shown in opposition suit tells partner not to worry about first round of that suit
Form of avoidance play allows declarer to discard seemingly inevitable loser
Reflect upon auction; remain alert to double bids to attract best lead
All top trumps — barring the ace — offers safe early ruffing opportunity
Pre-empts require good texture, no defence to opponents’ contracts
Known failing finesse neatly turned against declarer
Safe exits stripped away, finesse becomes sure thing — win or lose!
