Neither vulnerable. North deals.

Neither vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
4 3 2
Q 6 2
5 3
K Q 10 7 3
WEST EAST
K Q 10 A 8 7 6 5
10 7 3 9 8 5 4
K 10 6 2 J 7
A J 2 9 8
SOUTH
J 9
A K J
A Q 9 8 4
6 5 4
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
Pass Pass 1NT Pass
3NT Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Two of
South made a pretty deceptive play at the first trick. It was almost impossible for West not to be taken in.
Despite shaky stoppers in the black suits, South chose to open with a third-seat one no trump. North, giving full weight to his club suit and unshakable faith in his partner's dummy play, raised to three no trump when many would pass.
We can think of several good reasons for West to opt for the king of spades as his opening lead -- all of which would have been negated had J x x appeared in dummy opposite opener's likely ace. Declarer was well aware of the danger posed by the spade suit and elected to win East's jack of diamonds with the ace and lead a low club. West followed with the two and dummy's king held as East started an echo with the nine. Declarer returned to hand with the king of hearts as East followed with the four and led another club.
With declarer marked with three clubs by East's play when the suit was first led, West followed with the jack. Declarer won in dummy as East completed the echo. When the ten of clubs was led, East tried to highlight his spades by discarding the four of hearts, but West continued with a low diamond certain that East held the queen. Declarer now was delighted to claim nine tricks -- three hearts, four clubs and two diamonds.
& copy; 2007 Tribune Media Services
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