North-South vulnerable. South deals.

North-South vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
A J 4 3
A Q 10 2
6 5 3
4 2
WEST EAST
Void Q 9 8 6 5 2
7 5 4 6 3
A K J 10 8 2 9
Q 8 7 5 J 10 9 3
SOUTH
K 10 7
K J 9 8
Q 7 4
A K 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT 3 Dbl Pass
3H Pass 4 Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of
Here's another hand from Eddie Kantar's Thinking Bridge series, composed for players attending the Spring North American Bridge Championships who want to improve their game.
At favorable vulnerability, West tried to steal as much bidding room as possible by pre-empting in diamonds. North's double showed cards and suggested a possible major-suit contract. South duly introduced his major suit and the heart game was reached.
West cashed the king and ace of diamonds, East discarding a low spade on the second. West can see that the contract will be defeated providing East, after ruffing the next diamond, returns a spade for partner to ruff.
To make sure of this, West leads the jack of diamonds to the third trick, asking for East to return the higher of the other two plain suits. East dutifully obliges, and declarer is defeated before he even gets a chance to play.
& copy;2006 Tribune Media Services
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