Neither vulnerable. South deals.

Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x J 5
u A 10 9 8 3
v A K Q 2
w 7 3
WEST EAST
x A K 10 9 x 8 6 3 2
u Q 7 6 5 u J 4
v 10 5 4 v 6
w A 8 w Q J 10 5 4 2
SOUTH
x Q 7 4
u K 2
v J 9 8 7 3
w K 9 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
Pass 1v 1u Pass
1NT Pass 2NT Pass
3NT Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of x
We have often remarked that, when you have no clear path to the number of tricks you need to fulfill your contract, run your long suit. You will be amazed at what problems it could cause to the opponents.
Playing five-card majors, West has no option but to open one diamond. North, with a healthy overcall, raised partner's no-trump bid invitationally, and South carried on to game.
West led the king of spades, and continued with the ace and ten, won by declarer's queen. South could now count eight tricks -- five diamonds two hearts and a spade. Since the auction made it clear that the ace of clubs was with West, there was no obvious way to a ninth trick. With nothing better in view, declarer cashed his diamonds to see what might transpire. It was the magic touch.
West had no trouble following to the first four diamonds, playing three diamonds and a heart -- but finding a discard on the fifth diamond proved embarrassing. He could not part with a spade because declarer could then throw him in with a heart to lead a club up to the king, while discarding a heart would permit South to run the suit. That forced West to let go of a club, coming down to the bare ace. Reading the position correctly, South exited with a low club from hand to East's ace, and the king of clubs became the fulfilling trick.
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
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