BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x Q 6 4
u A Q J 8 2
v 3
w J 9 7 4
WEST EAST
x J 9 5 2 x K 10 8
u 9 6 u 10 5 4 3
v 9 6 v Q J 8 7 4 2
w A K 10 5 3 w Void
SOUTH
x A 7 3
u K 7
v A K 10 5
w Q 8 6 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 2v Pass
2u Pass 3w Pass
3v Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Two of x
We can remember when, during World War II, there was not a block in London that did not, on some wall or in some window, have a poster reading, "Loose lips sink ships." A warning that you never knew who was listening if you talked about shipping plans. Perhaps there should be a similar reminder near every bridge table as well.
North's two diamonds was a transfer to hearts, and three clubs was fatuous; it was unlikely that the combined holding could stretch to six clubs and no guarantee that five clubs would be a better contract than three no trump or four hearts. Quite the opposite. South's three diamonds promised club support, diamond control and a maximum no trump. Now North bid three no trump, but the damage was done.
Having already shown five hearts with his transfer, had North simply bid three no trump on the second round, West could surely have led a club and declarer could have claimed nine tricks. But warned by the auction of the futility of a club lead, West attacked with the deuce of spades. Declarer played low from dummy, East inserted the ten and declarer won with the ace. A low club was led. West wasted no time in rising with the king and returning the jack of spades, and no matter what South tried there was no way to stop the defenders from collecting three spades and two clubs -- down one.
& copy; 2004 Tribune Media Services