Both vulnerable. East deals.
Both vulnerable. East deals.
NORTH
x 10 9 5
u 7 5 2
v A K J 10
w 8 6 2
WEST EAST
x J 4 3 x 7 6
u 9 3 u A K Q 8 4
v 8 5 4 3 v 9 6 2
w 9 7 4 3 w Q J 10
SOUTH
x A K Q 8 2
u J 10 6
v Q 7
w A K 5
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1u Dbl Pass 2v
Pass 2x Pass 4x
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Nine of u
It is difficult to defend accurately -- you have only half your side's assets in sight. That is why it is essential to give partner all the help you can.
The South hand is too strong for a simple overcall regardless of vulnerability. The correct way to show this kind of strength is first to make a takeout double then bid your long side. North had almost enough to make a jump response to the double so, when South described a strong hand with a five-card or longer spade suit, he had no problem jumping to game.
West led the nine of hearts and East cashed three tricks in the suit. There are two possible lines of defense: to establish a club trick or to play for a trump promotion. Which should East choose?
With no clue, in these situations it is advisable to play partner for the weakest holding that would permit the contract to be defeated. Here, it should be to play a fourth heart, hoping that partner holds the jack. However, West should help partner at trick three.
If West held a possible club trick, he would signal that by discarding a high club. Here, West sluffs the three of clubs and, in the face of a discouraging club, East knows that the only chance is a trump promotion. He leads a fourth heart and West's jack of spades becomes the setting 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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