Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA 9 5

u7 6

vK 10 8 3

wA 10 5 2

WEST EAST

x4 2 x10 8 6 3

uA K 9 5 3 2 uJ 8

vQ 6 4 v7 5 2

w7 3 wQ 8 6 4

SOUTH

xK Q J 7

uQ 10 4

vA J 9

wK J 9

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: 2 of u

Opening leads are pretty much standard, although they have changed somewhat over the years. Against no-trump contracts the popular lead is fourth-best from your longest and strongest suit, although attitude or third- or fifth-best have their devotees. The choice of lead had a dramatic effect on this deal from a national pairs’ event.

The auction was routine. With 11 points opposite at least 15 and no interest in the major suits, North had an easy raise to game.

West combined his pass with the inspired lead of the deuce of hearts, ostensibly fourth-best in the partnership methods. In theory, that marked West with specifically four cards in the suit. The lead gave declarer his ninth trick but, since it was a pair event, an overtrick was important and declarer thought the lead gave him a sure-fire line for a 10th.

The safe way to try for that was to cash the top honors in both minor suits, hoping to drop one of the queens, but declarer “knew” he had an endplay. He captured East’s jack of hearts with the queen, cashed out his four spade tricks and exited with a heart, expecting West to score his three heart tricks and then be forced to lead into one of the minor-suit tenaces for the overtrick. He was two tricks short in his calculations for an absolute bottom!

2008 Tribune Media Services