BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. East deals.
NORTH
x Q 6 3
v 9 5 4
v K J 10 2
w Q 8 5
WEST EAST
x 10 8 2 x A 9
u 8 7 u A Q J 10 3 2
v 9 5 3 v 8 7
w J 10 9 6 4 w A 3 2
SOUTH
x K J 7 5 4
u K 6
v A Q 6 4
w K 7
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1u 1x Pass 2x
Pass 3v Pass 4x
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Eight of u
There are some basic principles of card play that you ignore at your own risk. South managed to break two of them on the same trick and paid the price.
The bidding was simple enough. There are those who might overcall with one no trump on the South hand, but with five spades and two doubletons, we prefer one spade. When North raised, South made a help-suit game try and North, with a maximum raise and great help in diamonds, had no problem in bidding the spade game.
West led his top heart, East rose with the ace and continued with the queen to declarer's king. Eager to get the trumps out of the way, declarer led a low spade to the queen and ace. East reverted to a heart and, whether declarer ruffed high or low, West had to score a trump for the setting trick.
Basic technique is when you have a choice of leading up to a single honor or two honors, lead toward the two honors. Also, lead through strength. With East marked for the ace of spades by the opening bid, both principles could have been observed with the same play.
At trick three declarer should cross to dummy with a diamond and lead a trump. East can rise with the ace and lead another heart, but declarer can ruff high and cruise home with 10 tricks.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.