East-West vulnerable. West deals.

May 9, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

xA Q 9 4

uA J 10 5

vA 10

w10 9 2

WEST EAST

x8 6 3 x2

u7 4 3 2 uQ 6

vK Q 5 v9 8 7 6 4 3 2

wA K Q w7 6 4

SOUTH

xK J 10 7 5

uK 9 8

wJ 8 5 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1w Dbl Pass 2x

Pass 3x Pass 4x

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of w

Here is another hand from Eddie Kantar’s popular series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for those players attending the Spring North American Championships in Detroit who are eager to improve their game.

“In response to a takeout double, South adds two extra points for a five-card major. In addition, the king of hearts is worth extra facing presumed heart length. On the other hand, both minor-suit jacks should be discounted. When the smoke clears, South logs in with 10 revalued points and makes a non-forcing jump to two spades, showing 9-11. North’s raise to three spades is invitational, and South decides to go for it with his skewered distribution.

“West cashes three clubs and shifts to the king of diamonds. Once South sees that West has exactly three clubs, he knows that West must have a balanced hand (anytime a player opens with a three-card minor, the hand must be balanced) and did not open one no trump. Why? West was either too strong (18-19 HCP) or too weak (12-14 HCP). South sees 24 HCP between his hand and dummy, so West can’t have 16 and not open one no trump. West has shown nine points in clubs and presumably five in diamonds for 14 HCP. Ergo, East has the queen of hearts. South plays accordingly (finesses East for the queen of hearts) and comes home a winner.

“When opener is known to have opened one club or one diamond with a three-card suit, opener must have a balanced hand of 12-14 HCP or 18-19 HCP. With 15-17 HCP the opening bid would be one no trump; with 20-21 HCP, two no trump. Declarer uses these numbers to guide him in the play.”

2008 Tribune Media Services