BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x Q 10 8 5 4 2
u K 6 4
v K 9 2
w J
WEST EAST
x J 9 3 x K 7
u A Q 9 8 u 10 7 2
v A J 5 v Q 10 8 7 6 4
w 8 7 6 w A 10
SOUTH
x A 6
u J 5 3
v 3
w K Q 9 5 4 3 2
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
Pass Pass 3w Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Eight of clubs
Counting is the key to many hands, both on defense and as declarer. Observe how counting can be crucial on this deal.
South's opening preempt was somewhat on the strong side, and North-South found the cards were divided favorably for them in the auction. West was a whisker short of a takeout double of three clubs and East's minor suit was a little too shabby to bid. As a result, South's opening three-club preempt bought the hand.
West led a trump to East's ace and East cleverly shifted to a heart, attacking dummy's entry. West's eight was taken with the king and a heart was returned to the nine. West reverted to a club, declarer winning with the queen and drawing the last trump with the king, East discarding a diamond on the third round. South now exited with a heart.
In with the queen of hearts, West led his remaining heart. Declarer ruffed and led a diamond to the king. West rose with the ace and was confronted with a problem. Since a diamond return would permit South to sluff his spade loser, East shifted to a spade. Declarer was equal to the task. West had shown up with the ace-queen of hearts and the ace of diamonds. Add the king of spades and West would have a full opening bid. South therefore called for the ten from dummy, fetching the king and setting up the queen as the fulfilling trick.
While South succeeded by counting the points, West could have prevailed by counting the distribution. He can count 10 of South's cards -- seven clubs and three hearts. If declarer has one spade and two diamonds, nothing will beat the contract. However, give South two spades and one diamond, and there is a defense. Before playing the 13th heart, West must cash the ace of diamonds! Now declarer is forced to ruff the heart, and he is stranded with a spade loser. Down one.
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