Both vulnerable. South deals.

May 11, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

uK 9 5 2

vJ 9 4 3

wK Q J 6

WEST EAST

xK 3 2 xJ 8 6 5

uJ 8 7 4 uQ 6

vA 10 8 2 vK Q 7 6

w9 2 w10 8 4

SOUTH

xA Q 10 9 7

uA 10 3

wA 7 5 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 1NT Pass

2w Pass 2v Pass

2u Pass 2NT Pass

3u Pass 5w Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of u

There is a history of bridge-playing families going back a long way. Declarer on this deal from the Spingold Team Championship at the recent Spring North American Championships played in Detroit was Jordan Cohen. His late father Ralph was a Canadian internationalist who became executive director of the American Contract Bridge League; his mother was an accomplished player and his brother is highly-ranked expert.

North’s second-round bid of two diamonds was an inquiry probing for heart support. The rest of the auction was natural.

West led a low heart and declarer captured East’s queen with the ace. A diamond was ducked to East’s queen. A heart was returned to the ten and jack and taken with the king. Declarer ruffed a diamond in hand, crossed to the king of clubs and ruffed another diamond. South cashed the ace of spades, ruffed two spades around a diamond ruff in hand, picking up the king. This was the position:

NORTH

u9 5

EASTWEST

xxJ

u8 7 u

w9 w10 8

SOUTH

xQ 10

Regardless of the distribution, declarer had to make two of the last three tricks. He cashed the queen of trumps and then led the nine of hearts. If the hearts were evenly divided, the nine would be the fulfilling trick. If not, the defender who ruffed the heart would have to return a spade to give declarer his 11th trick.

2008 Tribune Media Services