The Rule of One states that when there is just one trump outstanding which is a master, you should normally leave it out. Why waste two of your trumps to get rid of a trump that will win anyway? As declarer, the Rule of One position (one master trump outstanding) is very powerful.
a)
Dummy
♠ K632 |
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b)
Dummy
♠ 8632 |
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♠ trumps |
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Declarer
♠ A754 |
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Declarer
♠ A754 |
In (a), cash ♠AK then (assuming the suit splits 3-2) leave their master trump outstanding.
In (b), to reach the Rule of One position, duck the first spade. On regaining the lead, cash ♠A and (assuming a 3-2 split) leave their master trump outstanding. Note if you play ♠A and another, they can win and draw a third spade which you don’t want.
c)
Dummy
♠ 4 3 2
♥ A K 2 |
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d)
Dummy
♠ K 3 2
♥ A 6 2 |
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♠ trumps |
--------------- |
Declarer
♠ A 8 7 6 5
♥ Q 5 4 3 |
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Declarer
♠ A 7 6 5 4
♥ K 5 4 3 |
In (c) and (d), the aim is to ruff the fourth heart in the dummy, necessary unless hearts split 3-3. In (c), duck a spade. On regaining the lead, cash ♠A and, leaving their master trump outstanding, play
♥AKQ and ruff
♥5 with ♠4. Note you do not mind if a top heart is ruffed with their master spade as you can peacefully ruff
♥5. In (d), you must duck a heart first. On regaining the lead, you cash ♠AK to reach the Rule of One position. Then play
♥AK and ruff
♥5 with ♠3. Note if you instead play
♥AK and lose the third heart, they may lead a fourth heart with their partner ruffing from a doubleton spade — which you don’t want.
There may be another way:
South Deals
None Vul |
♠ |
8 4 2 |
♥ |
K 6 4 |
♦ |
K 6 2 |
♣ |
A 7 4 2 |
|
♠ |
Q 10 |
♥ |
J 10 9 5 |
♦ |
Q 10 8 4 |
♣ |
K J 9 |
|
|
|
|
|
♠ |
K J 9 |
♥ |
8 3 2 |
♦ |
J 9 |
♣ |
Q 10 8 5 3 |
|
|
|
♠ |
A 7 6 5 3 |
♥ |
A Q 7 |
♦ |
A 7 5 3 |
♣ |
6 |
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
|
1 ♠ |
Pass |
2 ♣ |
Pass |
2 ♦ |
Pass |
2 ♠1 |
Pass |
3 ♥2 |
Pass |
4 ♠ |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
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|
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Two-and-a-half Spades.
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The 5-4-3, showing his precise shape.
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Declarer won ♥ J lead with ♥ A and ducked ♠ 3, West winning ♠ 10 and leading ♥ 10. Winning ♥ Q, declarer cashed ♠ A (both following) to reach the powerful Rule of One position. You may think he should have ducked a diamond earlier but there is an 100 per cent line (on a 3-2 spade split).
Declarer crossed to ♣ A and ruffed ♣ 2. He crossed to ♥ K and ruffed ♣ 4. He cashed ♦ A, crossed to ♦ K and ruffed ♣ 7. Ten tricks made.