North-South vulnerable. South deals.

North-South vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x J 9 5 4
u 8 4 3
v A Q 7
w Q 8 5
WEST EAST
x 2 x 7
u Q 10 7 5 u K J 6 2
v 10 8 4 2 v K J 9
w A J 4 2 w K 10 9 7 3
SOUTH
x A K Q 10 8 6 3
u A 9
v 6 5 3
w 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
4x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of u
Counting is the secret to many hands, both as declarer and as defender. Get the right count on this deal, and the defense is easy.
South's opening bid is textbook. It is, essentially, pre-emptive, showing eight playing tricks at this vulnerability, and not too much in the way of defense. If the hand were any stronger, it would be right to open one spade and then rebid four spades.
West led his fourth-best heart. East went up with the king and South allowed it to hold, winning the heart continuation with the ace. Put yourself in the West seat. Declarer crosses to the board with the jack of spades and ruffs a heart, then exits with a club. What do you know about the hand?
First, declarer started with seven spades and two hearts. With dummy's ace of diamonds, you can also count him for nine tricks. If he has either minor-suit king, he has at least 10 tricks. If you play low, partner will win and return a club. Declarer ruffs, crosses to the table with a trump and ruffs the remaining club. Now declarer exits with a diamond and East is endplayed.
You can prevent that. Rise with the ace when declarer shifts to a club and lead the ten of diamonds through dummy's ace-queen. Declarer must take the finesse, East wins with the king and returns a diamond, and South must still concede a diamond for the setting trick.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services