BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
xA
uK Q 9 5 3 2
vJ 5 4
w9 5 2
WEST EAST
x9 7 6 5 4 2 xK Q 8
u10 uJ 8 7 6 4
v9 6 3 vA Q 10 7
wK 7 4 w8
SOUTH
xJ 10 3
uA
vK 8 2
wA Q J 10 6 3
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w Pass 1u Dbl
3w 4x 5w Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Ten of u
Here we are again, ready to test your analytical skills. Study the diagram above and, at the crucial time, decide whether you would rather declarer or defend five clubs.
The auction was straightforward, and five clubs was a reasonable contract. West led the ten of hearts, won by declarer's ace as East followed with the four, a suit-preference signal for diamonds. Declarer crossed to dummy with the ace of spades and led the two of clubs, the queen losing to West's king. West dutifully returned a low diamond. East rose with the ace and returned a heart (a spade would have been better). Do you want to play or defend?
Suppose you choose to play. You ruff the heart high and lead the three of clubs, covered by the four and won with dummy's five! Another heart ruffed high sets up dummy's suit, cross to the table with the nine of trumps, drawing the last enemy fang, and dummy's hearts took care of all your losers.
Still, you should have opted to defend. Suppose that, after declarer ruffs a heart high and leads the three of clubs, you insert the seven! Dummy's nine wins, but now the table is short of an entry to run the hearts. The contract must go down.
XThis 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;2003 Tribune Media Services