BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 5 4 2
u K Q J 4 2
v A 10 6
w 9 7
WEST EAST
x J 8 6 3 x 10 9 7
u A 9 8 u 7 6 3
v 4 v 9 8 7 5 3
w K 10 8 5 2 w A Q
SOUTH
x A K Q
u 10 5
v K Q J 2
w J 6 4 3
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 2v Pass
2u Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of w
Suppose you are defending against a three no trump and partner's opening lead is a low card of a suit in which dummy has only low cards and you hold A Q x. What card should you play? It might surprise you to learn that it is correct to follow with the queen. If declarer holds the king, he cannot afford a holdup play lest the ace is to his left, so if he does not win the trick you can be sure partner holds that card. This is a form of discovery play. There is a corollary on this deal.
North's transfer to hearts described a balanced hand with five hearts and 10-15 points. With only two hearts, South had no reason to disturb three no trump.
West led a low club, East won with the ace and returned the queen, which held. No matter what East did next, declarer would have time to force out the ace of hearts and come home with 10 tricks.
West missed a valuable clue on defense. Since East would have inserted the queen of clubs from a holding of A Q x, there is good reason to suppose that East did not have three clubs. With the nine of clubs on view in dummy, guarded only once, West must overtake the queen with the king and continue with the ten to force out the knave. West can then grab the ace of hearts on the first lead of the suit and run his clubs for a one-trick set.
Note that West cannot afford to duck a heart. If he does, declarer romps home with four diamonds, three spades, one club and one heart.
& copy;2004, Tribune Media Services