BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
x K 9 6 3
u J 8 7 5
v Q 4 2
w K 2
WEST EAST
x A 10 8 x J 5 2
u A u 4 3
v J 10 9 7 5 3 v K 8 6
w A 7 5 w 10 8 6 4 3
SOUTH
x Q 7 4
u K Q 10 9 6 2
v A
w Q J 9
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1v Pass Pass 2u
Pass 4u Pass Pass
Pass
Opening lead: Jack of v
South found a pretty false card to fulfill his four-heart contract. West bought it. Should he have? Was there reason enough to swallow the bait?
South's jump to two hearts in the pass-out seat is not weak. It shows a good opening bid with a fine six-card or longer suit. With his high cards well placed behind the opening bidder, North judged well to jump to game rather than invite with three hearts.
West led the jack of diamonds and South called for the queen, covered by the king and won with the ace in the closed hand. Declarer led a low spade and West rushed in with the ace to cash a diamond trick or two. The defender was horrified when South ruffed and, after forcing out the ace of trumps, conceded two club tricks, claiming the contract. Would you fault West, or congratulate South?
By all means congratulate declarer on his play of the queen of diamonds at trick one, but West should not have fallen for the trap. Review the bidding. The play of the ace of spades at trick two is necessary only if declarer holds a singleton. If he does, East holds Q J x x x in spades plus the king of diamonds and, therefore, too much to pass West's opening bid. West should follow to the first spade with a low card and, in the fullness of time, declarer must concede two spade tricks.
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