The Rules of…... One

This deal will featured in tomorrow's (16th October) Level 3 BridgeCast video it is episode 1114. BridgeCast is a monthly subscription service to find out more here. It is also Deal one, in Andrew's "Rules, Acronyms and Ditties" book which is, providing the inspiration, for his current series of Level 3 daily videos on BridgeCast.

The Rule of One: If there is just one trump out that is higher than yours, leave it out. Why waste two of your trumps to get rid of a trump that will win anyway?
Take these two trump suits:
(a)

Cash the ♠ AK, then, assuming a 3-2 split, the opponents have one master trump. Leave it out and go about your business in the other suits. Try to stop that trump from drawing two of your small trumps; aim to score dummy’s remaining trump by ruffing.

(b)

A dicey trump suit – yes. However the likely 3-2 split will see you able to maneouvre to reach a Rule of One position. The right approach will almost certainly be to duck the first round and take the second round with the ace. Then, assuming both opponents follow twice, leave the last trump outstanding. As in (a), you must aim to prevent the opponent with the master trump from winning the lead and playing it. [Note to defenders: if you do find yourself on play with the master trump, cash it when it draws two of the opposing small trumps].

On our featured deal, whilst no more than eight tricks are possible in notrumps, you can win no fewer than 11 in the 4-4 spade fit – provided you handle trumps correctly [analagous to (b)]. The key is to prevent a third round of trumps being played. Win ♣ J lead (with say ♣ K) and duck a trump altogether (key play).

Say West wins ♠ 10 and continues with ♣ 10. Win ♣ A and lead to ♠ A. Leaving their master trump out (the Rule of One), cash ♥ AK, ♦ AK and ruff ♦ 6. Ruff ♣ 3 and ruff ♦ 7. It does West no good to ruff, nor to throw master ♣ 9, so he throws ♥ J. You now ruff ♣ 4 – your eleventh trick. Game made plus one.