Both vulnerable. North deals.

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x A 7 2
u K Q 9
v Q 10 8 3 2
w Q 5
WEST EAST
x K 9 8 6 3 x J 5
u 10 4 u J 8 7 6 3
v K 6 v A 7 5
w K 10 4 2 w 8 7 6
SOUTH
x Q 10 4
u A 5 2
v J 9 4
w A J 9 3
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 2NT Pass
3NT Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Six of x
The time to plan the play of the hand is at the very first trick. At the second trick it could already be too late.
South's hand is a classic example of a jump to two no trump -- 13-15 points and no four-card major to bid. North's raise to game was automatic.
West led the six of spades, and declarer captured East's jack with the queen. Obviously, declarer would have to establish diamond tricks, so declarer led that suit. West did well to play low from the doubleton king, and East captured the ten with the ace. Declarer tried the ten of spades on East's return of the five. That was covered by the king and declarer held up the ace, but was forced to win it on West's spade continuation. South's only hope was that East had started with both diamond honors, but West won with the king and took two more spade tricks -- down one.
Since West probably holds the king of spades on the lead and play to the first trick, this deal is a concealed version of avoidance play. Declarer must allow East's jack of spades to win the first trick!
The spade return is covered by the ten, king and ace, and a low diamond is led from the board. Now East must defend well by rising with the ace. With no diamond to return, East does best to shift to a club, but declarer counters by rising with the ace and forcing out the king of diamonds. The best the defenders can do is win two tricks in diamonds and one in each black suit before South comes to nine tricks.
& copy;2004 Tribune Media Services
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