Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x6 2

uQ 10 9 4

vA 6

wK 10 9 5 2

WEST EAST

x9 4 3 xK 10 8 7

uA 6 5 2 uK J 8

vQ J 10 9 3 v8 4

w3 wJ 8 6 4

SOUTH

xA Q J 5

u7 3

vK 7 5 2

wA Q 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

2x Pass 2NT Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of v

This deal is from a high-stakes club game some years ago. Sitting South was one of the country’s best players. Can you equal his skill and bring home your game after the lead of the queen of diamonds?

With North marked with four hearts by the auction, South’s decision to bid three no trump was only a slight stretch. At rubber bridge, however, it pays to bid vulnerable games with minimum values.

West led the queen of diamonds and, since entries to dummy were few, declarer won in hand. It did not seem that nine tricks would be a problem — with normal breaks declarer has five club tricks, two diamonds and at least two spades. He cashed the ace of clubs and continued with the queen, and West’s heart discard was a blow. Now there were only four club tricks to be had, so declarer would need three spade tricks for his contract. That could be achieved with two finesses, but entry problems made it difficult to take two spade finesses and run the clubs.

There was an elegant solution, and South found it — he overtook the queen of clubs with the king! A spade was led to the jack, and when that held declarer exited with a club to the ten and jack. No matter what the defenders did, the ace of diamonds was the entry to dummy to cash out the clubs and then take a second spade finesse. At best, the defenders could take three heart tricks and a club, but the contract was secure.

2008 Tribune Media Services