BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. East deals.
NORTH
x 10 9 5
u 7 5 2
v A K J 10
w 8 6 2
WEST EAST
x J 4 3 x 7 6
u 9 3 u A K Q 8 4
v 8 5 4 3 v 9 6 2
w 9 7 4 3 w Q J 10
SOUTH
x A K Q 8 2
u J 10 6
v Q 7
w A K 5
The bidding:
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH
1u Dbl Pass 2v
Pass 2x Pass 4x
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Nine of u
Don't let partner make a mistake. Even with a seemingly useless hand, try to give partner a helping hand. Consider this deal from Eddie Kantar's "Thinking Bridge" series for those anxious to improve their game.
South's first two calls show a hand of some 17 points and at least a five-card spade suit. North's hand is now borderline for a jump to game. At the table, North chose the aggressive course, and West led the nine of hearts.
"The lead of a high card in partner's unsupported suit shows a singleton or doubleton. With three (or four) low ones, the lowest card is the proper lead. As a result, East knows that three rounds of hearts will cash.
"On the third heart, West has a choice of discards -- a low club or a low diamond. Any difference? West can 'see' that the contract will be defeated if East plays a fourth heart, promoting West's jack of spades to the setting trick. In order to encourage East to lead a heart, West discards a low club, denying interest in the suit partner will be tempted to lead. East is not about to lead a diamond. Important concept.
"When East sees the discouraging club and glances at the impressive diamonds in dummy, East should play a fourth heart, looking for a trump promotion, ruff-sluff or no ruff-sluff." Down one.
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;2006, Tribune Media Services