Both vulnerable. West deals.

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xK 8 7 2

u10 5 2

vA Q 2

wK 6 4

WEST EAST

xA 6 x9 3

uA J 7 uQ 9 8

vK J 4 3 v10 9 8 6

wQ J 10 3 w9 8 5 2

SOUTH

xQ J 10 5 4

uK 6 4 3

v7 5

wA 7

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1NT Pass Pass 2x

Pass 4x Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Queen of w

West, defending against four spades, made a questionable play. Why was his play at trick two wrong?

North’s raise to game was rather aggressive, However, South made a deceptive play and West fell for it.

Declarer won the opening club lead in hand with the ace and immediately led the jack of spades. Afraid that if he rose with the ace he might kill partner’s queen of spades, West followed with a low trump. The hand was soon over. Declarer led a club to king and ruffed a club, took the diamond finesse, cashed the ace and ruffed a diamond, and now led another trump.

In with the ace, West had either to yield a ruff-sluff, allowing declarer to get rid of a heart loser from dummy, or break the suit for declarer, in which case the defense would collect only two hearts and the ace of spades.

There are two good reasons why West should have taken the ace of spades. First, to guard against the position that existed. And secondly, if West rises with the ace, declarer, if he is missing the king of spades, might later repeat the spade finesse, playing West for A Q x in the suit.

2008 Tribune Media Services