Trump management is an integral part of the play of any suit contract. It includes the frequently crucial decision of whether to draw all, some or none of the opposing trumps at the outset. It might also include the question of whether to ruff high, low or not at all in situations where declarer has an opportunity to trump.

Consider this deal where South mismanaged his trumps and as a result failed to make four hearts. He ruffed West’s second spade lead and played the K-Q-A of trump.

When the suit broke 4-2, South next tried to run dummy’s diamonds. But East ruffed the third round and returned a spade, forcing declarer to use his last trump. After that, the only trick South could score was the ace of clubs, and he finished down two.

The deal illustrates how important it is for declarer to decide at the outset how to handle his trumps. In this case, South did not give adequate thought to what he could do to protect against a 4-2 trump break — mathematically 12% more likely than a 3-3 division. Had he taken the appropriate measures, he could have assured the contract against both a 3-3 and a 4-2 split.

The correct play is to discard a club on the second spade lead! This allows declarer to retain all of his trumps and leaves him in full control.

Another spade lead can be ruffed in dummy, after which South cashes the king of hearts, crosses to the queen of diamonds and plays the A-Q of hearts. When the suit fails to divide evenly, he concedes a trump to East’s ten and takes the rest of the tricks.

The contract is equally certain if West leads a trump or a diamond at trick three. Declarer is sure to score four hearts, five diamonds and the ace of clubs for 10 tricks in all.

Tomorrow: The bidding points the way.

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