North-South vulnerable. West deals.

North-South vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
10 8 3 2
6
Q J 10 9 7 2
A 6
WEST EAST
J 4 A Q 9 7 5
9 4 3 Q J 10 7 2
K 8 3 Void
8 5 4 3 2 Q 10 9
SOUTH
K 6
A K 8 5
A 6 5 4
K J 7
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
Pass Pass 1 Dbl
Pass 3 Pass 3NT
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of
The biggest crime at bridge is flying fingers -- playing too quickly to the first trick and regretting it thereafter. Pause to plan the play before you commit to a line.
After East's third-seat one-spade opening bid and South's takeout double, North's jump response showed a hand of about 8-11 points and a good suit. South had an easy conversion to three no trump.
West led the jack of spades ducked round to South, who wasted no time in winning with the king -- after all, the king of diamonds "had to be" with the opening bidder. Declarer crossed to the ace of clubs and led the queen of diamonds and lo, East discarded a heart. Since there was no way to nine tricks without cashing some diamonds, declarer let the queen run to West's king. Back came the four of spades and, with the help of finessing the nine of spades, the defenders were able to take four spade tricks to go with the king of diamonds -- down one.
Since both the bidding and opening lead marked East with five spades, declarer could have assured the hand by allowing the jack of spades to win the first trick. The ten of spades becomes a sure stopper and, even though the diamond finesse loses, the contract romps home. Try it.
This 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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