East-West vulnerable. South deals.



East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 6 4 2
u 7 4 3
v J 10 9
w Q J 8 5
WEST EAST
x A 9x J 10 8 3
u K 10 5u J 9 8 6
v Q 8 7 5 4v 2
w 9 7 4w 10 6 3 2
SOUTH
x K Q 7 5
u A Q 2
v A K 6 3
w A K
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
3NT Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of v
Before playing to the first trick, consider the possible lines. South was guilty of "flying fingers," and the price was high.
South's opening bid showed a balanced 25-27 points. North had nothing to add, and that became the final contract.
West led the five of diamonds to the nine and deuce and South was delighted to be in dummy.
A spade was led to the jack, king and ace, and West returned a spade, declarer capturing West's nine with the queen.
No matter how South tries, he cannot collect more than eight tricks -- one spade, two hearts, three diamonds and two clubs -- down one.
Declarer lost the contract with his play at trick one. His only possible entry to dummy was in diamonds, and it should have been saved for when it was needed.
Declarer should win the first trick in hand with the king, cash the king and ace of clubs and now lead a low diamond toward the table.
Whether or not West rises with the queen, declarer will have a diamond entry to the board to cash the queen and jack of clubs, and will end up with at least nine tricks -- one spade, one heart, three diamonds and four clubs.
XThis column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680. Send e-mail to gorenbridge@aol.com.
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