Both vulnerable. North deals.

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x J 10 9 4
u A 4
v A K 9 8 5 3
w 2
WEST EAST
x K 5 2 x Q 7 3
u Q J 10 7 6 u 9 5 3 2
v Q 10 6 v J 4
w 5 3 w A 10 9 7
SOUTH
x A 8 6
u K 8
v 7 2
w K Q J 8 6 4
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 2w Pass
2v Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of u
Before playing to the first trick, count your winners. It could have a dramatic impact on the line you select.
With a stopper in each of the unbid suits and a good six-card suit, South's jump to three no trump was eminently reasonable. Certainly, there was no better contract available.
West led the queen of hearts, East started an echo with the five to show an even number and declarer won in dummy. With five fast winners, declarer needed to establish four more while giving up the lead only once. Since surrendering a diamond would still leave South a trick short, he decided to start on clubs. A club to the king won and declarer continued with the queen, East taking the ace. A heart to the ace set up the suit for the defenders. Declarer continued with the jack of clubs but, when the suit did not divide evenly, declarer had to settle for seven tricks.
South was right to start on clubs but, when the king of clubs held, declarer should have switched horses. Better than relying on a 3-3 club break was to hope that diamonds were 3-2. South should have continued by ducking a diamond. Declarer wins the heart return and cashes a high diamond. When both defenders follow, declarer can run the diamonds for nine tricks.
Note that it does not help East to rise with the ace of clubs at trick two to return a heart. The club suit is now established for five tricks and declarer can score an overtrick.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services
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