North-South vulnerable. North deals.

North-South vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
Q 8 6
K 4 3
A K 10 3
A Q J
WEST EAST
A K J 9 4 10 3 2
6 A Q
J 9 8 2 7 5 4
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
SOUTH
7 5
J 10 9 8 7 5 2
Q 6
K 2
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Pass 3 Pass
4 Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of
We have received a ton of e-mail expressing thanks for our running Eddie Kantar's "Thinking Bridge" series, composed for the recent Summer North American Championships held in Chicago. Here's another example.
"South's three hearts was played as pre-emptive, resembling a three-heart opening bid. Many, however, use the three-heart response as a splinter jump, showing a singleton heart with diamond support, a game force. If three hearts is being played as a splinter, second hand must have passed.
"East 'sees' four defensive tricks if West can be coaxed to continue with the ace of spades. If East plays a low spade at trick one, West is apt to switch to a club, trying to build up a trick in that suit before the queen of spades can be established for a club discard. It is up to East to take charge and play the 10 of spades at trick one, 'faking' a doubleton. No matter. Once West plays that king of spades, the contract is defeated.
"Every so often a defender encourages partner to continue the suit that has been led even though third hand has useless cards in the suit. Why? Third hand can see that, if partner continues the suit, the contract will be defeated. A little white lie comes in useful every so often."
& copy;2006 Tribune Media Services
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