BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 10 6 5 2
u A Q J 4
v 4
w J 7 6 3
WEST EAST
x A J x K 7
u K 8 5 2 u 9 6 3
v 10 9 7 5 v Q 8 6 3
w A Q 10 w 8 5 4 2
SOUTH
x Q 9 8 4 3
u 10 7
v A K J 2
w K 9
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1x Dbl 4x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Ten of v
Study the diagram above, then decide: Would you rather play or defend a contract of four spades after West leads the ten of diamonds?
North's raise to four spades over the takeout double is somewhat aggressive. Our choice would have been a limit raise in spades, which South would probably have passed since the king of clubs was of doubtful value considering West's bidding.
Suppose you elect to declare. The obvious danger is that you might lose two tricks in each black suit. You capture East's queen of diamonds with the ace (or win with the jack if East does not play the lady). You run the ten of hearts and, when that wins, continue by finessing the jack. Now continue with the ace of hearts, discarding a club from hand when West follows. Next, you play a trump and, when East produces the seven, just cover. It might seem that all the defenders can get now is the two black aces, and the contract is home.
Not so fast. When West wins the first spade with the jack, he can now cash the ace of clubs and then lead his remaining heart. East ruffs with the king and West still has the high trump for down one.
However, don't be in too much of a hurry to switch to defending. Suppose that, after discarding a club on the ace of hearts, you lead dummy's remaining heart and discard the king of clubs! After this loser-on-loser play, the best the defenders can do is collect their two trump tricks, so the contract is made. Try it!
& copy; 2004, Tribune Media Services