Both vulnerable. North deals.

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xQ 8 6

uK

vK Q J 10 7 2

wA 5 3

WEST EAST

xK 9 5 x10 7 4 3

u8 7 6 2 u10 5 4 3

vA 4 3 v9 6 5

wK Q 7 w10 4

SOUTH

xA J 2

uA Q J 9

v8

wJ 9 8 6 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 2wPass

3v Pass 3u Pass

4w Pass 5w Pass

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Five of x

We used to own a leather case for playing cards that was embossed: “Life ain’t holdin’ the good cards. It’s playin’ a bad hand well.”

While South could not complain about his cards as responder, he certainly could do so about the final contract. It seems that North might have thought about bidding three no trump over three hearts, a contract that could be claimed at trick one.

Against five clubs West led a low spade, won by declarer’s jack. The eight of diamonds was taken with the ace and the heart shift went to dummy’s king. Declarer cashed a diamond for a spade discard, then led a trump, finessing the eight when East followed low.

West won with the king and exited with a spade to declarer’s ace, and South found the winning line — he led the club jack. Whether or not West covered, East’s ten was pinned and declarer could claim the rest of the tricks.

This technique was dubbed the intra-finesse and first written up by the great Brazilian internationalist Gabriel Chagas about 40 years ago. It pops up more often than one might think.

2008 Tribune Media Services