BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 9 8 6 5 2
u A 2
v 8 6 5
w A K 6
WEST EAST
x K 7 x 4
u Q J 10 9 u 7 6 5 4 3
v A Q J 2 v 10 9
w Q 10 7 w J 9 5 3 2
SOUTH
x A Q J 10 3
u K 8
v K 7 4 3
w 8 4
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x 1NT 4x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of u
If you commit an error, you cannot complain if the punishment fits the crime. But to have to pay the piper when you have not transgressed is harsh indeed.
While there is nothing terribly wrong with West's overcall of one no trump, the combination of only one spade stopper and four cards in the other major makes a takeout double the superior choice. With all the defensive strength trapped between two good hands, North's leap to four spades is beyond reproach.
West led the queen of hearts. Had West opted for a takeout double rather than one no trump, declarer might have won in dummy and taken the spade finesse, and been defeated. But the auction marked West with the king of trumps and declarer was quick to take advantage of this knowledge. The king of hearts won the first trick and the major-suit aces were cashed. The ace and king of clubs were taken and dummy's remaining club was ruffed. Now declarer led a trump, losing to West's king. The poor defender was faced with a Hobson's choice. If West led a heart or a club, declarer would discard a diamond from dummy while ruffing in hand. If West led a diamond, South would score the king. Either way, declarer would lose only one trump and two diamonds to land his game.
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; 2004, Tribune Media Services