Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
K 8
K 9 2
10 9 6
K Q J 7 2
WEST EAST
Q 7 4 10 6
10 8 5 A Q J 4
K Q J 8 4 7 5 3 2
8 3 9 5 4
SOUTH
A J 9 5 3 2
7 6 3
A
A 10 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 2NT Pass
3 Pass 3 Pass
4 Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of
If possible, plan your campaign to have the safe defender on lead. It is easy to overlook on this deal.
North's two-club response to the one-spade opening bid was game-forcing. As a result, North was able to bid two no trump at his second turn and the declaring side was able to probe for and select the best game.
West had a natural diamond lead, and declarer made the most of not having a heart lead. He won in hand perforce, led a low spade and, when West followed low, played the eight from dummy, losing to the ten.
The diamond return was ruffed in hand and, when both defenders followed when declarer led a trump to the king, the hand was all but over. Declarer came to hand with the ace of clubs, drew the outstanding trump and raked in 11 tricks -- five in each black suit and the ace of diamonds.
Note that chances of finding a 3-2 spade break are almost the same of chances of the finesse succeeding.
This column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680
& copy; 2006 Tribune Media Services
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