BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x A 3 2
u A Q J 7 3
v K 9
w Q 9 6
WEST EAST
x K Q x 8 6 4
u 10 4 u 9 6 2
v 10 4 3 2 v A J 8 6 5
w 10 7 5 4 2 w A 8
SOUTH
x J 10 9 7 5
u K 8 5
v Q 7
w K J 3
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1NT Pass 3x Pass
4x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of w
It is not illegal for a defender to tell his partner what he holds. Providing, of course, that he does so by the order in which he plays his cards!
North-South were using methods that are no longer in fashion. South's jump to three spades was forcing and showed a five-card or longer suit. With three-card support and a ruffing value in diamonds, North's raise to four spades is obvious.
West led the four of clubs to East's ace, and South innocently followed with the jack, concealing the three. The eight of clubs was returned. Declarer won with the king and led the jack of spades to the queen, ace and six. The three of spades went to the four, nine and king.
West had noted that the three of clubs was missing and, convinced that East held it and that South would ruff the third club, switched to the two of diamonds. East's ace of diamonds was the third and last trick for the defenders. Where did the defense go wrong?
If West had shown as much attention to the spade spots as to those in clubs, he would have found the winning defense. East's echo in trumps not only showed three trumps, but also suggested that East could ruff a suit. That could only be in clubs. West should have realized that declarer held the three of clubs and, after winning the second trump, persevered with clubs. East would have ruffed for the setting trick.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services