BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x K 9
u K 7
v Q J 10 9 5 3
w K Q 10
WEST EAST
x J x 8 7 5 4 2
u Q J 9 4 3 u 8 6 2
v K 7 4 v 8 2
w J 9 5 3 w 7 6 4
SOUTH
x A Q 10 6 3
u A 10 5
v A 6
w A 8 2
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 1x Pass
2v Pass 2u Pass
2x Pass 6x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of u
Don't just opt for the first line you see when going for your contract. A little extra touch can make the world of difference.
It seems that, somewhere along the line, either North or South might have suggested no trump as a possible final landing place. There are 12 tricks available at no trump without even having to take a finesse.
At six spades, the obvious line was to plan to ruff the third heart in dummy, then draw trumps. Should it develop that there is a trump loser on the hand, declarer can maneuver to take the diamond finesse for the 12th trick.
Declarer won the opening lead with the king of hearts, led a heart to the ace and ruffed the third heart with the nine. After cashing the king of trumps, dropping the jack, declarer came to hand with the ace of clubs and cashed another trump. When South discovered there was a trump loser, he drew two more rounds of trumps, crossed to the king of clubs and ran the queen of diamonds. Down one.
There was an additional chance which declarer failed to spot. After winning the first trick with the king of hearts, declarer should next cash the king of spades. If nothing good happens, declarer continues as above, but when the jack drops declarer can claim his slam! He cashes the nine of spades, returns to hand with the ace of clubs and draws all the trumps, cashes the ace of diamonds and continues with a diamond to the nine. The only trick for the defense is the king of diamonds.
& copy; 2006 Tribune Media Services
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