Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x 10 4
u A 8 5
v 10 9 2
w K Q J 6 3
WEST EAST
x Q 9 5 2 x K 7 6
u J 10 9 6 3 u 7 4
v J 4 v Q 8 5 3
w 9 5 w A 10 7 4
SOUTH
x A J 8 3
u K Q 2
v A K 7 6
w 8 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of u
Study the diagram above, then decide: Would you rather play or defend three no trump after the lead of the jack of hearts?
North has no response other than three no trump to his partner's one-no-trump opening. To look for an 11-trick game contract in a minor with a balanced hand is naive.
Suppose you elect to play. You win the opening lead in hand and lead a club to the jack and ace. You win the heart return and persevere with the king and queen of clubs. Continue with a club to set up a long club in dummy and you are home with one spade trick, three hearts, two diamonds and three clubs.
Just a moment though. East can defend better by allowing the jack of clubs to hold the first trick and winning the second. Now you must use your only entry to dummy to cash your remaining high club, but East can win the fourth club and you have no entry back to the table to cash your long club.
However, don't be in a hurry to switch to the defense. You can improve your declarer play. At trick two lead a club and duck on the board. East can win cheaply, but on regaining the lead you can lead another club and force out the ace, and the ace of hearts is still on the table as your entry to the clubs. Three no trump bid and made.
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.
& copy; 2005, Tribune Media Services
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