Neither vulnerable. South deals.

Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x Q 3
u 10 9
v A K J 9
w Q 10 8 6 5
WEST EAST
x A 5 2 x K J 8 7 4
u K 7 6 4 2 u J 5 3
v 7 4 3 v 8 6
w K 2 w 7 4 3
SOUTH
x 10 9 6
u A Q 8
v Q 10 5 2
w A J 9
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v Pass 2w Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of u
Some players would rather steal a hand than make it by a legitimate line. Although ego-satisfying, in the long run this is a losing proposition. But some hands cannot be made without a bit of aid from the enemy, and plays that encourage defensive errors should always be considered.
South had a difficult problem. With a balanced minimum, to raise North's two clubs to three was distasteful. The decision to bid two no trump was practical, and North's raise to game was unimpeachable.
West led the fourth-best heart and declarer took a few moments to study the dummy before following with the nine. East covered with the jack and, with no break in tempo, declarer won with the ace. Clearly, should the king of clubs be offside, a spade shift would prove disastrous. Declarer's play was designed to make it more difficult for the defenders to find the killing defense.
South crossed to the table with a diamond and ran the ten of clubs to West's king. Placing the queen of hearts with his partner, West continued with a low heart, and was mortified to see South win with the queen and run for home by cashing his winners and collecting 10 tricks. Note that, without declarer's deceptive play at trick one, West would have had no choice but to switch to a spade and strike gold.
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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