BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
x 9 3
u K J 10 5
v Q 4 2
w A Q 9 4
WEST EAST
x A K 7 4 x Void
u 9 8 7 6 4 u A 3 2
v A K 9 v J 10 7 6 5 3
w 2 w J 7 6 5
SOUTH
x Q J 10 8 6 5 2
u Q
v 8
w K 10 8 3
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1u Pass 2u 3x
Dbl Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of v
To the untutored eye, it might seem that the defenders should score five tricks against three spades doubled. In the course of play, however, one of those tricks vanished.
The auction was unremarkable. After the one-heart opening and the single raise, South's jump to three spades was preemptive. West, looking at four high-card tricks and a probable ruff, and knowing partner had some values, seemed on rock-solid ground with his double. Events, in this case stellar declarer play, proved him wrong.
Had West started with his singleton club, there was no way declarer could have avoided a one-trick set. Unfortunately, West started with a seemingly normal king of diamonds, and South, Jay Apfelbaum of Pittsburgh, gave the defenders no opportunity to recover.
West shifted to his singleton club at trick two, but it was already too late. Declarer won in dummy with the ace and led the queen of diamonds. When East followed low, declarer discarded the queen of hearts. This loser-on-loser play is known in the trade as a "Scissors Coup," since it cuts the defenders' communications.
West won with the ace of diamonds, but had no way to reach East to get the club ruff. Declarer had all the time in the world to force out the ace and king of spades, and lost only two tricks each in trumps and diamonds for the excellent score of 530.
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