Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x K Q 5 4
u J 10 3
v K 10 8
w 10 8 7
WEST EAST
x 10 8 3 x J 7 6 2
u K Q 7 4 2 u 8
v 9 4 2 v Q J 7 5 3
w A Q w 5 4 3
SOUTH
x A 9
u A 9 6 5
v A 6
w K J 9 6 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of u
Eager to save an honor card at trick one, South blew a contract that was impregnable.
South made an intelligent choice for his opening bid. Had South opened one diamond rather than one no-trump, a one-spade or one no-trump response would have left him with a difficult rebid problem. The three no-trump final contract was the optimum spot.
West led the four of hearts and, following the "rule" of second hand low, called for dummy's three, covered by the eight perforce and won with the nine. Since declarer could not come to nine tricks without developing clubs, he crossed to the queen of spades and ran the seven of clubs to the queen. West reverted to hearts, playing the king as East discarded a diamond. Declarer won with the ace and led a club, but West won with the ace and, leading hearts from the top, took three hearts tricks -- down one.
See the difference if South had "squandered" the ten of hearts from dummy at trick one. When South loses a trick to the queen of clubs, he still has two stoppers in hearts. No matter what the defenders do, South has time to establish clubs and come to at least 10 tricks.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services
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