BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x Q 10
u 6 4
v 10 7 5 4
w A 9 8 4 3
WEST EAST
x 7 3 2 x 6 5
u 2 u Q J 10 9 8 3
v J 9 8 6 v A K Q
w K Q 10 7 5 w J 2
SOUTH
x A K J 9 8 4
u A K 7 5
v 3 2
w 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x Pass 1NT 2u
3x Pass 4x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Two of u
Bridge players are lucky. Most of the time they need not count to more than 10, so their fingers suffice. Consider this hand.
After South's one spade opening bid, one no trump is the only response available to North. When South jump rebids spades over East interference, one ace and the queen of trumps plus some ruffing values are enough to proceed to game.
After West's lead of the deuce of hearts, an obvious singleton, declarer's first chore is to count tricks -- both winners and losers. There are nine winners (six trumps, two hearts and the ace of clubs) and four losers (two each in the red suits). Both problems can be solved with a heart ruff as long as declarer makes sure one of his winners is not ruffed away in the process.
You win the first trick with the ace of hearts. Since you need to score only one trick by ruffing, you cannot afford to draw trumps. However, if you proceed to try for your ruff by next cashing the king of hearts, you will be defeated. West will ruff and return a trump. You can still ruff a heart loser, but that only compensates for the winner that got ruffed away, and you still have only nine tricks.
The solution is simple enough. At trick two lead a low heart! Best defense is for East to win and return a trump. You win and ruff a heart, cash the ace of clubs, ruff a club, draw trumps and claim your 10 tricks.
& copy;2004, Tribune Media Services