East-West vulnerable. South deals.

East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x A J 9 2
u K Q 7
v 8 6 4
w A 7 5
WEST EAST
x Q 10 7 x 8 6 5 4
u A 8 2 u 10 9 6 5
v K 9 7 5 v Q J 10 3
w Q J 8 w 10
SOUTH
x K 3
u J 4 3
v A 2
w K 9 6 4 3 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1w Pass 1x Pass
2w Pass 2u Pass
3w Pass 5w Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of v
The minor suits have become the orphans of the bridge world, especially at duplicate pairs. Contracts of five in a minor have virtually been ignored in favor of three no trump, because of the value of the possible overtricks at no trump. This is not always a good idea, as illustrated by this hand from the world team championships.
At most of the tables the contract was game at no trump after North chose to rebid three no trump over two clubs. The lead was invariably a diamond, and the defense collected three diamonds, a club and the ace of hearts.
At one table North decided that his diamond holding was not good enough for three no trump, especially since South did not show a diamond stopper by bidding two no trump over two hearts. Based on that, he opted for the club game.
A diamond was led at this table as well. Declarer won with the ace, cashed the ace and king of clubs and, when the suit did not break, cashed the king of spades and then finessed the jack successfully and discarded his diamond loser on the ace of spades. While it is true that, if the finesse loses, the contract will be set an extra trick, the risk is far outweighed by the possible gain.
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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