BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x A 8 7 2
u A K
v 6 3 2
w Q 10 9 8
WEST EAST
x 9 5 x 10 6
u J 10 9 7 u Q 8 6 4 2
v K 8 7 4 v J 10 9
w A J 3 w K 7 2
SOUTH
x K Q J 4 3
u 5 3
v A Q 5
w 6 5 4
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1w Pass 1x Pass
2x Pass 4x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of u
There is more than one way to finesse. Pay particular attention to the diamond suit on this deal. Once North raised spades on the second round, South had no problem bidding four spades.
West led the jack of hearts. The mirror-image distribution in the red suits was a disagreeable surprise. Finesses would be needed, something no declarer likes. Certainly, chances of getting home were slight unless West held the knave of clubs. The opening lead was won in dummy, trumps were drawn in two rounds ending in hand, and declarer continued with a low club to the eight. South heaved a sigh of relief when that lost to the king.
Declarer's next test came when East shifted to the jack of diamonds. Declarer spurned the finesse, rising instead with the ace. Another club was led. West rose with the ace and reverted to hearts, dummy winning. Declarer came to hand with a trump and led a club, and all was well when the jack appeared. A diamond was discarded on the long club and 10 tricks were in the bag. Note that, had declarer thoughtlessly finessed the diamond, West would return a diamond to set up a fourth trick for the defense.
But what if the second club had lost to East and a diamond was returned? Declarer can insert the queen, and he is no worse off than if he had finessed on the first diamond lead. Playing the ace on the first diamond trick was the winning extra chance.
& copy; 2004, Tribune Media Services