NEIL HAYWARD BRIDGE

Opening Lead: ♠8. What is your plan?.

Recommended Line: The game of bridge has gathered quite a number of clever sayings, which purport to help you to play well. For example, there is “always cover an honour with an honour” (hopelessly inadequate, given all the exceptions). This hand offers us this one: “second hand low”. Again, this parrot-cry is more of a hindrance than a help, because you feel you are exempted from the need to think. Of course, thinking is always more helpful than following a saying from a vast pool of well-meaning “advice”. If you play second hand low, East also plays low. You make just one spade trick. After this, a further spade from West sinks the contract. However, if you add thought to the situation, instead of putting your trust in sayings, you will see that playing the ♠Q right away thwarts East’s plans. Think it through.