Both vulnerable. South deals.
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x -K J 8 5
u -10 7 3
v-Q 6
w -Q J 10 2
WEST EAST
x -6 3 2 x -A 9
u -K Q J 6 u -A 9 5 2
v-9 4 v-J 10 8 7 3 2
w -9 7 6 4 w -5
SOUTH
x -Q 10 7 4
u -8 4
v-A K 5
w -A K 8 3
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 2w Pass
2x Pass 3x Pass
4x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of u
Take some time to plan your campaign before you play to the first trick. This holds true for the defenders as well as declarer.
The auction was routine. After South's one no trump, North checked on the possibility of a 4-4 spade fit, then invited game by raising spades. With 16 points, mostly prime, and a ruffing value, South had no qualms about accepting.
West led the king of hearts and East signaled with the nine. West continued with a low heart to East's ace. It was obvious from the bidding that West could not hold another winner outside hearts. However, it was odds-against to expect declarer to hold a third heart, so East decided to try to give partner a ruff and shifted to a diamond. Declarer won in dummy and led a spade. East hopped up with the ace and returned a diamond, but when West could not ruff declarer claimed the rest of the tricks.
East had the right idea but the wrong technique. He should have tried for a ruff, but in his own hand. At trick one, East must overtake the king of hearts with the ace and shift to a club. Now when declarer leads a trump, East can rise with the ace and return a low heart to partner's jack, and the obvious club return allows East to ruff for the setting trick.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services
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