Both vulnerable. West deals.

Both vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
8 2
10 6
K Q J 6 3
A K 5 4
WEST EAST
K Q J 5 10 7 6 4
A 5 3 4 2
9 2 A 10 8 5
Q 10 9 8 7 6 3
SOUTH
A 9 3
K Q J 9 8 7
7 4
J 2
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1 1 Pass 2
Pass 4 Pass Pass
Pass
Opening lead: King of
More contracts are lost at the first trick than at any other time during the game. Plays made in haste are often irrecoverable.
After North's overcall of one diamond, South's jump to two hearts showed a six-card suit and was invitational. With 13 high-card points and a ruffing value, North had just enough to go on to game.
West led the king of spades. Declarer could not wait to win with the ace and return a spade, intending to ruff the third spade. West won with the jack, cashed the ace of hearts and continued with a trump, killing South's ability to ruff the third spade. Declarer won in hand and turned his attention to diamonds. East took the ace and cashed a spade for down one.
All that was required to make the contract was for declarer to allow the king of spades to win the first trick. That simple tactic leaves the defense with no way to defeat the hand. If West continues with a spade, declarer wins and ruffs his remaining spade. If, instead, West shifts to ace and another heart, declarer wins, draws the last trump and sets about forcing out the ace of diamonds. Since the ace of spades controls that suit, declarer will be able to discard his spade loser on a high diamond.
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
& copy; 2006 Tribune Media Services
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