Bridge is a complex game, and is played by humans. Put those two things together and you have a guarantee that mistakes will be made. Whatever the strength of the partnership, making it easy for partner, and taking charge when you know the route, is absolutely vital.
Here is a hand from a high-standard Mixed Online event that was played last week. West was male and East female.
West led his partner’s suit to the Ace and Declarer’s nine. East’s Ace is suit preference for Hearts, and is a good and helpful play. She made another good choice when she shifted to the ♣9, indicating nothing in the suit.
Declarer didn’t think he needed to risk anything, so went up with the Ace, played a trump to dummy and a Heart towards his Jack, when — disaster — East ruffed, and West signalled feverishly with the ten of Hearts.
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