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 7 6 5
7 5 4 6 3
A K J 10 8 2 9
Q 8 7 5 J 10 9 3
SOUTH
K 10 2
K J 9 8
Q 7 4
A K 6
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT 3D Dbl Pass
3 Pass 4 Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of
Here's another deal from Eddie Kantar's "Thinking Bridge" articles designed for players attending the Summer North American Championships who were eager to improve their game.
"At favorable vulnerability (not vulnerable against vulnerable), West should try to muddy the waters with a three-diamond bid. The normal way to deal with three-level interference after a one-no-trump opening is to play that "double" is strength-showing with Stayman overtones. It is not a penalty double per se. Of course, with length and strength in the overcaller's suit partner can pass the double knowing you have a good hand. South, with a four-card major, elects to bid it. North raises.
"West cashes a second diamond and East discards a low spade. At trick three, West plays the jack of diamonds, the highest card he can afford, for East to ruff, a suit-preference play if ever there was one. East trumps and returns a spade [if he wants the partnership to endure]. Down one.
"When giving partner a ruff with a known long suit [diamonds], the card you return is suit preference. If you want the higher-ranking of the two side suits returned [spades], return the highest card you can afford. If you want the lower-ranking [clubs], exit with your lowest diamond. If you have no preference, return a middle card and watch partner suffer trying to figure out if it is a high or low card.
"Jokes aside, when giving partner a ruff with no preference for either side-suit return, ask for the suit that is least likely to cost a trick -- the safer of the two suits, if you will."
& copy;2006 Tribune Media Services
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