Both vulnerable. North deals.

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
Q J
K J 6 3
K J 7
A K 5 3
WEST EAST
K 10 8 7 5 3 6 2
7 2 A 4
A 9 10 8 6 4 3
J 9 4 Q 10 7 6
SOUTH
A 9 4
Q 10 9 8 5
Q 5 2
8 2
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1 Pass 1 1
4 Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Ace of
Some hands do not lend themselves to a complete strip. However, that does not mean you shouldn't do as much as you can before committing yourselves to a line.
Had South responded anything other than one heart and had there been no interference, North would have rebid two no trump to show his balanced 18-19 points. As the auction proceeded, the jump to four hearts showed the same strength while promising four-card heart support.
West led the ace of diamonds and continued with the nine. If West has the ace of hearts as well, the contract is safe. However, the threat of a diamond ruff cannot be overlooked. Since West has overcalled, vulnerable, on a moth-eaten suit strongly suggests a six-card holding in spades, and declarer took advantage of this in the play.
After winning the second trick with the jack of diamonds, declarer cashed the ace and king of clubs and ruffed a club high. Since there was no quick entry in dummy to ruff the last club, declarer led a trump to the jack and ace. East won and gave partner his desired diamond ruff to complete the book, but there was no more for the defense. Down to nothing but spades, West was forced to lead away from his king into declarer's combined tenace, and the spade loser vanished.
File this under "Partial Strip."
& copy;2007 Tribune Media Services
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