BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x A 10 6 5
u A Q 6 4
v 10 8
w J 10 5
WEST EAST
x J 2 x Q 9 8 7
u 8 7 u J 10 3 2
v K J 7 6 4 v 9 5 3
w K Q 9 7 w 6 4
SOUTH
x K 4 3
u K 9 5
v A Q 2
w A 8 3 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 2w Pass
2v Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Six of v
Textbooks say that 25-26 points should be enough to make nine tricks at no trump. That is the case when the distribution is kind. When suits don't break, however, you might have to work hard with 27-28!
The auction was routine. With two four-card majors and, therefore, a ruffing value, North tried to locate a 4-4 fit, using the Stayman convention. When none existed, three no trump was the logical final contract.
West led a low diamond and, when dummy's ten held, declarer's available trick total was up to eight. With a myriad finesses available, declarer ran the knave of clubs to West's queen. Back came a heart. Declarer played low from the table and captured East's ten with the king. The ace and queen of hearts were played, West discarding a diamond, and the ten of clubs was passed to West's king. With only spades as a safe exit, West led the jack. In an effort to complete a count of the distribution, South made the technically correct play of allowing West to hold the trick, won the spade continuation with the king and continued with a spade to the ace, West discarding another diamond. Declarer cashed the ace of clubs and, when East showed out, played another club. West won with the nine but was forced to lead a diamond into South's ace-queen for 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